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This article was published on Friday, 5 July, 2013. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Melbourne Heart FC heads to Shepparton

The game will be held at McEwen Reserve and form the first match of Heart's pre-season schedule ahead of the 2013-14 A-League season, which kicks off in October.

Greater Shepparton Mayor Jenny Houlihan said Melbourne Heart's return to the area was an exciting opportunity.

"This is a chance to showcase our fantastic football facilities as well as an opportunity for some of our local players to experience the big time against Melbourne Heart," Cr Houlihan said.

"Hosting events like this supports the Greater Shepparton Football Strategy and adds significantly to the recently-announced redevelopment of the sports precinct.

"This is a free event for our community and I encourage all football lovers to get along to the game and support both Melbourne Heart as well as our local players.

"I would like to pass on a big thank you to host user groups Shepparton Junior Soccer Association and Shepparton South Soccer Club who have been very supportive in working with us to accommodate ground requirements to host a match to the quality needed for an a league per season game."

Melbourne Heart FC CEO Scott Munn said it was a fantastic opportunity to reengage with the Greater Shepparton community after holding a community festival in the area two years ago.

"It is a great opportunity for us to revisit the area and reengage with the community in Shepparton," Munn said.

"At Melbourne Heart FC we feel we have an obligation to give back to the community to grow the game at every level and this visit is a key part of that."

"It is important for football to engage with the grassroots and Melbourne Heart continues to be one of the front runners in the A-League at this."

Melbourne Heart played Wellington Phoenix in a pre-season friendly around two years ago as part of the Club's Westpac Community Festivals.

"It was a fantastic experience for both the Club, the players and the people of Greater Shepparton and we are looking forward to returning," Munn said.

The match represents Melbourne Heart's first public pre-season fixture. Entry to the match is free.