One of Melbourne’s oldest and most respected Australian Rules football clubs, the Coburg Football Club, now has a new sponsorship partner in retirement village provider Ryman Healthcare. On the occasion, Ryman Healthcare’s management team visited the football club’s home, Piranha Park, to celebrate the deal with the Lions in Coburg.
The partnership came from an idea by General Manager of the Coburg Lions, Sebastian Spagnuolo, who acted upon the inspiration and approached Ryman Group Sales and Community Relations Manager, Debbie McClure, about a possible partnership earlier this year.
As it happens, Ms McClure is an avid footie fan, and could immediately see the attraction and potential in partnering with the local team.
In addition to the mutual interest, Ryman Healthcare’s new community development site on Bell St in the suburb just 8 km from Melbourne’s CBD was formerly occupied by a school - and, the land borders the Coburg football ground.
Ryman Healthcare plans to build a retirement village on the vacant land with a blend of independent living serviced apartments, as well as a care centre. The village will include independent apartments for retirees as well as providing low and high-level aged care, and dementia care.
Mr Spagnuolo said the Coburg Football Club was pleased to see the site used for a significant community asset.
“It will be fantastic to see the space next to us utilised. We’re excited to be partnering with a company that values community as we do.’’
“We’re not a flashy club – we’re a hard-working club in a hard-working suburb that values its community. We’re going through a rebuilding phase and we look forward to having Ryman as a neighbour and a partner,” he said.
Debbie thought the affiliation with the Coburg Lions it would be a great match for residents who could choose to get a view of Piranha Park from their apartments.
“We’re building the village so that retirees who love the area can stay in Coburg no matter how their health needs change over time. I’m sure being so close to their beloved footie ground will be the icing on the cake for many of them.’’
The Coburg Football Club was founded in 1891 and competes in the Victorian Football League. Just as Ryman plans to develop the close-knit community for the benefit of local seniors, the Coburg Lions have plans to redevelop their grandstand and refurbish the ground for the enjoyment of spectators.
Picture: Coburg Lions General Manager Sebastian Spagnuolo (left), Ryman Healthcare Group Sales and Community Relations Manager Debbie McClure, Lions Club President Kevin Breen and Ryman Healthcare Group Development Manager Andrew Mitchell at Piranha Park in Melbourne.
