Powerhouse English Premier League club Manchester City has launched its first Manchester City Football Schools in New South Wales, with St Dominic’s College in Kingswood announced as one of two new Football Schools taking part.
Along with Waverley College in the Eastern Suburbs, Manchester City has continued its Football Schools expansion in Australia, with five locations now across the country.
Manchester City are the current Premier League Champions, securing the title consecutively over the last three seasons. During the 2022-23 season, the club completed a historic treble after being crowned champions of Europe for the first time and winning a domestic league and cup double.
Utilising the coaching philosophy and methodology of the treble winners, the Manchester City Football Schools will provide authentic and creative football coaching programs year-round for St Dominic’s students.
Commencing in 2024, student expressions of interest have opened and trials will take place in the coming weeks. Next year, St Dominic’s College will offer programs for Year 7 and Year 9 students.
Participating students at St Dominic’s will add to the many students already participating in the programs across Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.
Jorgina Busquets, Managing Director – Football Education & Recreation for City Football Group said Manchester City was “very excited” to partner with St Dominic’s College.
“We’re looking forward to sharing not only our coaching knowledge with students, but also building their knowledge of how high-level coaching can help develop young people,” she said.
“We seek to create well-rounded individuals by combining Manchester City’s approach and methodology to improve students’ football and overall educational achievements.”
St Dominic’s College Principal Simon Abernethy said the Kingswood-based school was thrilled to team up with one of the world’s largest football clubs.
“The Manchester City Football School will be aligned with our core philosophies and values and St Dominic’s will leverage an established and globally acclaimed sporting curriculum, providing the College with unsurpassed access to exceptional resources, opportunities and coaches,” he said.
“The partnership with Manchester City and the integration of the Football School within our curriculum will provide unparalleled opportunities for not only our students, but also for our wider community, including a dedicated program tailored for girls, with training programs run beyond school hours.
“We believe that engaging students through sport and academia, within a proven framework, fosters holistic development, cultivating a strong work ethic, discipline and confidence.
“We’re thrilled to commence this journey with Manchester City with a joint vision of creating opportunities and pathways for the youth of western Sydney to discover who they can become.”
On Wednesday morning St Dominic’s made the exciting announcement to its cohort, decking out the school in Manchester City logos, signage and banners.
A Parent Information Evening will take place at the school on Thursday, September 21 at 6.30pm, with trials set to take place in early October.
“It’s going to be an elite program. There will be a maximum of 48 students chosen from Year 7 and 48 chosen from Year 9,” Abernethy said.
“Next year we also want to run an afternoon program to engage young women in the local area as well.”
St Dominic’s College also reaffirmed its commitment to the Penrith Panthers, acknowledging they are both a rugby league and football school.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.