Melbourne Victory has joined forces with the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association to launch the 2016 U-NITE Cup.
Previously known as the Melbourne Asian Cup, the tournament is designed to bring a range of diverse and underrepresented communities together through a love of football.
Over the next three months, 20 teams featuring some of the best amateur footballers from across Victoria will represent 18 communities and countries.
The tournament will be played at two venues – Darebin International Sports Centre and Ron Barassi Snr Park – with the Final to take place at Etihad Stadium on Australia Day.
The tournament draw was held at AAMI Park last month with every team represented.
MCSA secretary Andrew Young said the partnership that started with Victory in 2015 has seen the tournament go from strength to strength.
“We want all the games played to have a carnival like atmosphere,” he said.
“We anticipate with the new format and the new teams we have in the tournament, we will see a wide range of spectators turning up in droves to support their teams and their heroes.”
Victory will host the U-NITE Cup Final as a curtain-raiser to its annual U-NITE clash with Sydney FC, which celebrates multiculturalism and cultural diversity.
The U-NITE Cup is proudly supported by the City of Melbourne and Melbourne Victory Football Club. Click here for more information about the tournament.