Community in Business, Football Federation Victoria’s exciting new community football business network, was launched last Friday at an exclusive luncheon in Melbourne and included a significant Geelong involvement.

PICTURED ABOVE LEFT: (From left) North Geelong Warriors representative Josip Zilic, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, FFV's General Manager Commercial and Media Anthony Grima and former Socceroo and North Geelong Warriors legend Josip Skoko

PICTURED LEFT: Galaxy United secretary Tatia Atkinson and North Geelong rep Josip Zilic (right) with Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou

With football participation numbers in the Greater Geelong area booming with a 14.5 per-cent increase in 2015, it’s little wonder that the region was well represented at the event, held at the award winning Fenix Events in Richmond.

Hosting the event was television news personality George Donikian who introduced Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou as well as local former Socceroos legend Josip Skoko, to launch the new community initiative and share their football experiences.

Community in Business brings together Victoria’s key football stakeholders including businesses, football clubs, media and government and provides a membership benefits program and multiple connectivity channels for members, particularly businesses, to engage with other like-minded people who can share and celebrate their passion for the world game via a series of networking luncheons.

FFV President and former Socceroo Kimon Taliadoros, Perth Glory CEO Peter Filopoulos, Fox Sports football expert Andy Harper and Fairfax journalist Michael Lynch comprised an expert panel discussing the commercial value of football in Victoria as part of the Community in Business launch.

Also in attendance were the Geelong region’s National Premier League representatives in Tatiana Atkinson, secretary of the newly formed WNPL club Galaxy United and Josip Zilic from the North Geelong Warriors FC.

For both it was a unique opportunity to get to know new stakeholders and reacquaint with old friendships within the community of football outside of the Geelong region.

“The initiative is something new for Football Federation Victoria and we appreciate their efforts to bring us together for an opportunity to engage with like-minded people who share a passion for the world game,” said Zilic.

“The Community in Business event was well run, well attended and well received with the initiative already receiving positive support from business. An invaluable program for clubs both community and WNPL/NPL to tap into,” added Atkinson.

Community in Business was established after extensive FFV research in 2014 on sponsorship with the findings discovering around 2000 businesses invested commercially in community football, making a significant financial contribution to more than 350 Victorian clubs.

FFV General Manager of Commercial and Media, Anthony Grima, said establishing Community in Business would enhance Victoria’s standing as Australia’s football capital and promote the benefits of investing in community football for businesses.

"Community in Business is the perfect entry point for any business wishing to support and invest in football in Victoria,” Grima said.

“Community in Business acknowledges the contribution made by businesses to football in Victoria and will enhance the relationships between Victorian football clubs and their business partners.”

"Community in Business is about developing and maintaining meaningful relationships, establishing trust and mutual return on investment for members.”

FFV President Kimon Taliadoros said Community in Business would assist football’s rapid growth in Victoria.

“Victoria has over 350 clubs and more than 63,000 players involved in our beautiful game,” Taliadoros said.

“A 13 per-cent participation rise in Victoria this year is proof of the rapid growth of football.

“This participation rise, global stars on our doorstep with the International Champions Cup and the strong performance of PS4 NPL Victoria teams in the Westfield FFA Cup means it is the perfect time for Community in Business to continue this momentum for Victorian clubs and the businesses that support them.”

Visit communityinbusiness.com.au for all the details regarding the inaugural 2016 program.