Moves afoot for new Leopold-based soccer club

Leopold is a step closer to hosting its own soccer club following the appointment of an interim committee last Friday night.
A group of enthusiasts working to establish the club has proposed the name FC Leopold as well as a logo and team colours.
Newly appointed president Mitch Vials and secretary Jared Larkins have led the group in meetings with FFV Geelong officials and City Hall’s sports and recreation department.
The fledgling club proposes to base itself at Leopold’s Estuary Estate sports field, which has a fully enclosed and irrigated football pitch, portable dressing rooms and other amenities as well as an adjoining AFL oval.
Other names on the committee are treasurer Luke Foster, director of football Vince Aloi, junior co-ordinator Ben Shears and general members Charlie Fitzpatrick, Sarah Marusic and Tony Aloi.
“FC Leopold is currently in the planning stages and is hoping to field a senior men’s, a senior women’s and multiple junior teams in the Geelong region football competitions for the 2017 season,” Vials said.
“We’re looking for enthusiastic members of the local community who would like to assist this sporting club in becoming a reality, whether as a committee member, volunteers, coaches or players.”
Creating a “strong local club culture from the outset” was part of the club’s mission statement, Vials said.
“We as a group are really keen to build a strong club culture and provide a place where players can develop and play for years to come.
“I’m really excited to be working on this project with my fellow committee members and look forward to giving members of the local community a place to play football.”
Vials said anyone interested in joining should visit facebook.com/FCLeopold or email footballclubleopold@gmail.com