Development Squad
Overview
NOTE: there is NO Development Squad expected for 2025, but is expected to return in 2026 or 2027.
The MPFC Development Squad was established (for the 2024 season) to provide an opportunity for our Youth players (ages 17-21) to prepare for the transition to Senior football. Training and playing with 3-4 selected Senior players each week, this squad will experience the focus, physicality, intensity and skills of a strong Sunday league, before trialing for our Senior Saturday and Sunday teams in 2025.
In 2024 the MPFC Development Squad competed in the Sunday Metro 2 League, alongside the other Senior MPFC squads that compete in State and Metro Leagues.
Home Ground: Pitch 3 (Community Pitch), JL Murphy Reserve, 351 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne (map).
Training: twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays (mid Jan to early Sep).
Matches: Apr-Sep (plus friendlies in pre-season).
The season
Training:
mid Jan - early Sep.
Two training sessions per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Training is compulsory.
Where? JL Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne (map).
Pre-season training commences late January 2024.
Matches:
early Apr - early Sep (~18 rounds Home & Away).
Matches are on Sunday afternoons.
Where?
Home matches: JL Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne (map).
Away matches: Melbourne (mostly south and east) vs local clubs.
Fixtures and results
Football Victoria release the season leagues and fixtures in mid-April (1-2 weeks before the start of the season).
See all MPFC Gameday fixtures here.
Fees
Registration Fees include but are not limited to: Football Victoria and Football Australia (FV & FA) player and team registration, insurance, , coaching expenses, training and match day equipment, some social events, end of season trophies and celebrations, costs related to all club facilities e.g. council fees and utilities.
Fees (2025): $560 (up to ages 18), or $660 (ages 18+)
Club Support – expectations
Our community Club is not-for-profit and is 100% volunteer run to deliver our program of football and club events.
There are many ways in which you can contribute so please let us know if you have any special skills or interests that can help our club. If you are interested in helping out, whether in a short-term role, as a committee member, as a coach or Team Manager or are even in a position to sponsor, please get in contact with us email middleparkfc.juniors@gmail.com.au for a commitment free discussion on what you’re interested in. We are keen to grow our team and would love to hear from you!
Player support: every player is expected to help - do not shy away! - whether in an official role (below), helping with training equipment, setting up on match day, running the line, putting together a BBQ, or helping on a subcommittee.
Coaching: Teams cannot run without coaches. Should you volunteer as a coach, you will get plenty of mentoring and support from our Technical Director and cohort of experienced coaches. If you are interested to find out more, please fill in our Coaches Expression of Interest.
Referees: FV appointed referees are provided however on occasion when they are unavailable a player (not part of the squad) must step in (for home games).
Other info
ITC (ages 12+): If you have previously played and registered overseas for a football Club your registration may take a little longer. When registering you will have to follow the International Transfer Clearance (ITC) process to confirm your identify and that of previous your most recent Club overseas. Please note that until you have fully registered with Football Victoria you will not be able to play in any official match.
Contact us now if you are interested in playing or coaching.
Watch previous matches
MPFC records most development squad and State seniors matches - these are available to watch via the links below. We will be setting up a direct link to watch matches streamed live from here also. Click here to be notified to upcoming live streamed matches.
Contact us now if you are interested in playing or coaching.
Contact us
Register now if you have been offered a spot in a team following trials
Register now