Man City Perth players learn and grow on Melbourne football tour

Manchester City Perth’s U10 and U12 squads recently travelled to Melbourne for three days of football, learning and shared experiences with Melbourne City FC and Parade College.

The tour gave players the opportunity to experience new coaching environments, compete against strong opposition and learn more about the standards and behaviours that support player development.

It was also a valuable chance for players, parents and coaches to strengthen connections across the wider City Football Group network, while creating plenty of memorable moments together.

A new football experience for our young players

Travelling as a squad presents different challenges from a regular training session or matchday.

Players need to adapt to new surroundings, listen to different coaching perspectives and support their teammates throughout the experience. These moments can help young footballers develop confidence, resilience and independence, alongside their technical skills and understanding of the game.

Across the tour, our players were encouraged to:

·       experience different coaching and training environments

·       test themselves against high quality opposition

·       adapt to new challenges on and off the pitch

·       learn more about the habits expected within professional football strengthen their connections as teammates.

Training and competition at Parade College

One of the highlights was a visit to Parade College, a Manchester City partner school in Melbourne.

The visit gave our players and coaches an insight into how football development can be integrated within a school environment, combining structured coaching with wider education and personal development.

Our U10 squad took part in a training session led by Parade College coaches. The players experienced new practices and coaching ideas, giving them different challenges and another opportunity to develop their technique, decision making and game understanding.

The U12 squad competed in a five team competition involving Parade College’s football programme. Across the matches, the players showed resilience and adaptability, improving as the competition progressed.

There were some excellent goals and positive passages of play from both sides, with the teams sharing a commitment to purposeful, attacking football.

Inside Melbourne City’s football environment

The squads also spent time with Melbourne City FC, taking part in friendly fixtures against Melbourne City Football Programs teams.

These matches gave the players an opportunity to apply what they have been learning through their regular Manchester City Football Programs in Perth sessions. They faced unfamiliar opponents, adapted to a different tempo and tested their skills in a competitive but supportive environment.

The players also completed a squad strength and conditioning session and visited the City Football Academy Melbourne at Casey Fields.

Watching Melbourne City’s A League Men’s team train gave players and parents a closer look at the preparation, concentration and consistency involved in a professional football environment.

After the session, the young players met members of the squad for photographs, conversations and autographs, creating one of the most memorable moments of the tour.

Learning from coaches and players

Football development was central to the trip, but some of its most valuable lessons came through conversation.

A session with Melbourne City’s Academy Manager introduced the group to the club’s player development philosophy and the importance of learning over time.

Players and parents also joined a question and answer session with two Melbourne City players. They heard first hand about the players’ football journeys, including the challenges they faced and the commitment needed to continue improving.

Rather than focusing only on outcomes, the conversations highlighted the everyday habits that help players develop, including listening, responding to feedback, working consistently and supporting the team.

Bringing the experience back to Perth

Throughout the tour, our players approached each session, fixture and activity with enthusiasm. They represented Manchester City Perth positively and made the most of every opportunity to learn.

The experience supported their development as footballers, while also encouraging confidence, teamwork and stronger connections across the squads.

These lessons will now continue through their regular training in Perth. Our coaching programmes use the Manchester City methodology to provide structured, age appropriate sessions that help players develop technique, decision making and a clearer understanding of the game.

For parents looking for high quality football coaching in Perth, the Man City weekly programmes offer young players the opportunity to learn and improve in a positive, supportive environment.

Players can also continue developing during the school holidays through our football holiday camps in Perth, where structured coaching, enjoyment and plenty of time on the pitch come together.

Find out more about our latest football programs here 

We would like to thank Melbourne City FC, Parade College, our players, parents and coaching teams for making the tour such a positive and memorable experience.