Melbourne Heart FC officially launched the Club's first pre-season friendly match in Shepparton on Monday.
Melbourne Heart will face an All Stars side from the Goulburn North East Football Association next week on Thursday 25 July at McKwen Reserve.
The Club's CEO Scott Munn, alongside Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Jenny Houlihan launched the event at the ground today.
Mayor Houlihan said that the match tied in with the Greater Shepparton football strategy and would enhance Greater Shepparton-s reputation as “a key sporting event destination in regional Australia".
“This event is a celebration of our recent sports precinct funding from the Federal Government which will see a substantial investment into the development of these facilities for our community," Mayor Houlihan said.
“This match will give a glimpse of the calibre of events we can host at this facility in the future.
“Thanks and appreciation also goes to the GNEFA… for their support and enthusiasm in putting together a first class team - watch out Melbourne Heart - to help grow football in our region.
“I-m looking forward to seeing our local team take on Melbourne Heart on July 25.
“This is going to be a great experience for our local players and all those lucky spectators who get to see it.
Munn said that local football fans could expect Head Coach John Aloisi to field a competitive side and indicated Harry Kewell could feature.
“We-re really looking forward to coming here for the second time, we think that we are going to be well prepared; we-re about six weeks into our pre-season now and I know certainly everyone is excited at the possibility of Harry Kewell playing," Munn said.
GNEFA representative Frank Papallo said Melbourne Heart would have a game on their hands, considering the local talent available.
“In terms of the squad, the local boys are really chuffed at the opportunity to get out and compete with an A-League club,” Papallo said.
“There is a great mixture of experienced players, visa players and local players in the provisional squad and the coaches themselves are really excited at a great opportunity to bring a high calibre of football players together.
Westpac will conduct a fundraising event at the match to raise funds for Goulburn Valley Health and the Shepparton Regional Hospital.