This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Melbourne City’s commitment to women’s football has reached a new high with the opening of a new dedicated facility at the City Football Academy in Melbourne on Thursday.



A separate wing of the multi-million dollar City training base will cater for the W-League team, who have already won every match in their two-season existence.

Two of the club’s biggest stars – Jess Fishlock and captain Steph Catley – sang the facility’s praises, saying it was better than any other club they’d previously played at.

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Given the pair have tallied a dozen clubs across six countries in their careers to date, that’s no mean feat.

Fishlock said it would make the best even better.

“It’s easy to bring in great players, international players now with this facility and it doesn’t take long for them to bed in,” she said.

“If you provide elite athletes with a tool to allow them to grow to be the very best they can be, that trumps everything.

“This is what a professional outfit should have.”

Catley recalled some of the shocking situations from clubs in her past.

“Some of the facilities didn’t have showers. Or there was no hot water,” the Olympian said.

“Or the showers were in change rooms that were being used so I would go home on the train cold and miserable.

“There have been some horror shows but this is a show of what it can be and what we want women’s football to be.”

Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) Welcome to our brand new Elite Women's Training Facility, the home of @MelbCityWFC! #together pic.twitter.com/ZAhrDYt1Bj

With little commercial imperative behind investing in the W-League, City Football Services managing director Brian Marwood explained the rationale behind the facility and funding.

“You hear everybody saying ‘we’ve never experienced anything quite like this’ and I think that’s a real shame,” he said.

“Why aren’t people taking it seriously? Why should the women’s game be different to the men’s game?

“There’s no reason why a lot of women’s footballers can’t enjoy a lot of the opportunities that the men get. We’re trying to provide a platform for that.”

But City’s all-conquering women don’t want to be unchallenged, and Catley believes the competition has improved this season.

“It’s really stepped up,” she said.

“Last year a couple of teams didn’t have uniforms by finals time. This year it hasn’t happened.

“Everyone’s got internationals in, incredible players, nice and early and everyone’s had a good pre-season.

“If City’s had anything to do with that, then I’m really proud of what we’re doing.”