KIDS will get free coaching and top soccer players will take part in cultural events under a major partnership between the city council and the re-branded Melbourne City Football Club.

The council has allowed the club to use a stylised version of the City of Melbourne coat of arms for its logo in return for a program of community engagement.

Melbourne City officially became the new name of A-League club Heart this month after English football powerhouse Manchester City bought the team earlier this year.

Melbourne City sought a partnership with the council based on similar ventures with local authorities involving Manchester City and its US franchise New York City FC.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the memorandum-of-understanding signed with the club came at an exciting time with the World Cup underway in Brazil.

“Melbourne’s growing legion of soccer fans will have access to free coaching and participation sessions on match days and during school visits,” he said.

“The community engagement activities offered by Melbourne City FC as part of the MOU will complement Melbourne’s status as an active, sport-loving city.”

It is envisaged that club players will take part in city cultural events such as Chinese New Year celebrations, the Antipodes Festival and Lygon St’s Italian Festa.

Melbourne City FC CEO Scott Munn said the club already had a long association with the City of Melbourne that affected more than 10,000 people a year.

“This new agreement will enable us to expand that impact even further through the delivery of world-class sporting, cultural and community programs tailored to the needs of the City of Melbourne and the State of Victoria,” he said.

Mr Munn said Melbourne City would also draw on the expertise of its sister clubs Manchester City and New York City while delivering the community and cultural programs.

Melbourne City’s chances for the upcoming season have been boosted with Spanish superstar David Villa to play several matches on loan from New York City and the signing of former Ireland international Damien Duff for a one-year deal.

john.masanauskas@news.com.au

media_camera Melbourne City Football Club’s logo is borrowed from Melbourne City Council.

Originally published as Melbourne City backs city kicks