The south-east of Victoria has united as one behind Team 11’s push for A-League and W-League admission, with 12 local councils pledging support for the bid.

It is a year since the Team 11 pitch materialised at a June 1 launch event in Dandenong.

The three councils driving the bid – the City of Greater Dandenong, the City of Casey and the Shire of Cardinia – have re-committed to the cause by re-signing the Memorandum of Understanding that kick-started the process 12 months ago.

Significantly, those MoUs are now bolstered by Letters of Support from surrounding councils including: Frankston City, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Knox City, City of Monash, Baw Baw Shire, Bass Coast Shire, South Gippsland Shire, Latrobe City and Wellington Shire.

These letters were included in Team 11’s Expression of Interest document submitted to Football Federation Australia and Deloitte last week as part of the A-League’s expansion process.

The Letters of Support are indicative of the widespread interest Team 11’s bid has generated in the south-east of Victoria and also demonstrate the benefits said councils see in having a professional club playing and training in their region.

CARDINIA SHIRE MAYOR, CR COLLIN ROSS

“When the consortium goes out looking for funding to develop the project further, people need to know that the local government authorities are right behind the bid and the residents in those areas are right behind it. Councils being the most direct link to the community know what the residents are after and this sporting project will undoubtedly bring activity to the south-east like nothing else.”

CITY OF CASEY MAYOR, CR GEOFF ABLETT

“The re-signing of the MOU is a real line in the sand moment for Team 11’s bid. Enormous amounts of work have been done over recent months to position this bid as the strongest of its type seeking an A-League licence.”

CITY OF GREATER DANDENONG MAYOR, CR YOUHORN CHEA

“The A-League, W-League and Youth Team bid is progressing very well. The three councils are working very hard together. We committed to this 12 months ago but have re-signed this MoU to make sure that we are all working together to bring a club to the south-east.”

BASS COAST SHIRE MAYOR, CR PAMELA ROTHFIELD

“Soccer in Bass Coast is continuing to grow year on year. From the smallest of players to seniors and female competitions, soccer is now entrenched in many of our local communities. Bass Coast is proud to support the growth through the planning and delivery of key soccer related facilities and is excited by the opportunity our neighbours are pursuing through the application to develop a new A-League team.”

BAW BAW SHIRE MAYOR, CR JOE GAUCI

“Opportunities like this help inject a new excitement and invigoration into local sport and we’re pleased to support Team 11’s bid to bring an A-League, W-League and National Youth League team to south-east Victoria. Sport and recreation plays a huge role in health and wellbeing, social connections and economic benefits for local communities. It’s great to see councils taking a united approach to bring more diverse sporting opportunities to the wider region.”

FRANKSTON CITY MAYOR, CR COLIN HAMPTON

“Frankston City Council recognises the significant social and economic benefits that an A-League W-League and National Youth League team would bring to south-east Melbourne; and the opportunities for growth and development it would bring to clubs and participants in the region.”

KNOX CITY MAYOR, CR JOHN MORTIMORE

“Knox City Council strongly supports the Team 11 Committee in their endeavours to bring an A-League team to south-east Melbourne. At a time when the ‘World Game’ will again be centre-stage at this year’s World Cup, Council believes an A-League, W-League and National Youth League team in south-east Melbourne would deliver major social, recreational and economic benefits for communities across the region.”

LATROBE CITY MAYOR, CR DARRELL WHITE

“Latrobe City Council is delighted to support Team 11’s push for A-League and W-League admission and the opportunity to bring the world game closer to our regional communities. Our recent investment in the new Latrobe Football Centre of Excellence shows our confidence in the future of this sport and the strong following that it has within the Gippsland Region. As the sport continues to grow, nurture talent and captivate hearts – it is right that we support Team 11 to take its rightful place within the national league and to provide a pathway for talented players in south-east Victoria.”

CITY OF MONASH MAYOR, CR PAUL KLISARIS

“City of Monash supports Team 11 because we recognise the significant social and economic benefits that will come from bringing A-League, W-League and National Youth League teams to the south-east region. We wish the Team 11 Steering Committee success in securing an A-League licence for the south-east region of Melbourne.”

MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE MAYOR, CR BRYAN PAYNE

“Mornington Peninsula Shire supports Team 11 and the movement to bring an A-League team to south-east Melbourne. There are significant social and economic benefits this would bring to not only the peninsula, but all of south-east Melbourne. This initiative would also open up opportunities and new pathways for local sporting clubs and participants throughout the region.”

SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE MAYOR, CR LORRAINE BRUNT

“Soccer participation in South Gippsland continues to grow and the Team 11 proposal will greatly improve access to the highest level of the game for our community.”

WELLINGTON SHIRE MAYOR, CR CAROLYN CROSSLEY

“Wellington Shire Council supports Team 11 for the social and economic benefits A-League and W-League will bring to the region. Soccer is a very popular sport in Wellington for people of all ages and significant growth in female participation. We look forward to the ongoing relationship with Team 11 and our neighbouring Councils in the south-east.”