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ORMOND PARK  ·  EST. 1959  ·  ESSENDON, VICTORIA  ·  CROSS KEYS RESERVE
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The Club

Red and white since 1959.

From Unione Sportiva Triestina to the Essendon Royals we know today, we have grown into one of the largest community football clubs in Victoria. One club, one family, boys and girls at every level.

We Are Royals

A leading club in Melbourne's north-west.

Essendon Royals Soccer Club is a leading community football club in Melbourne's inner north-west, home to more than 1000 players across over 50 teams.

The Royals were founded in 1959 as Unione Sportiva Triestina, a name that reflected the Italian roots of its founders, specifically the city of Trieste. Through four mergers and many name changes, the club has played in virtually every division, including the Victorian Premier League, and the spirit of those founders carries on today.

We are committed to providing a fun, positive and organised environment where junior players can enjoy the game and develop their skills, while our senior teams offer real challenges for those chasing the next level. From a child's first kick at Kick-Starters through to NPL and NPLW, there is a place at the Royals for boys and girls alike.

1959Established
1000+Players
50+Teams
4+Every age, to seniors
A Royal Story

Key moments in our history.

A long, storied tradition in the game, told with the help of dedicated Royals families and friends.

1959

The club is founded

Unione Sportiva Triestina is formed, named for the Italian city of Trieste and the heritage of its founders.

1963

Victorian Division 1 South Champions

An early senior men's title, one of many promotions across the decades that followed.

1995

The Royals name arrives

A merger with East Brunswick-Ivanhoe SC brings the club together as Essendon-Brunswick Royals, adding the name we carry today.

1999

Essendon Royals

The club becomes known simply as Essendon Royals, the identity it has held ever since.

2014

Women's football re-established

The senior women's team returns after a long absence and the men claim the State League 3 North-West championship.

2019

60 years of the Royals

The club marks its 60th anniversary, chatting with some of the great and most influential figures from its history.

Today

One of Victoria's largest clubs

More than 1000 players and over 50 teams, with boys and girls competing from Kick-Starters through to NPL and NPLW.

Got something to share, or spotted a mistake in our history? We are always building this story with our community. Send it to marketing@essendonroyals.com.au
What We Stand For

Our vision, our values.

To provide accessible, vibrant and inclusive sporting opportunities that inspire a happier, healthier next generation of Moonee Valley footballers and citizens.

/ 01

Community

We value the members, partners and families who make the Royals what they are.

  • Diversity and inclusion
  • A supportive environment
  • Accessibility for all
  • Sustainability
/ 02

Development

We play a positive role in the growth of our people and our city.

  • Better humans, on and off the pitch
  • Players and coaches who keep improving
  • Active investment in local facilities
/ 03

Football

One pathway for boys and girls, from the first kick to the first team.

  • Kick-Starters and community football
  • Junior and youth elite pathways
  • Senior men and women at NPL level
Our People

The people behind the Royals.

From committee and operations to our football department, these are the volunteers and staff who keep the club running. One club, one family.

Committee & Governance
President
Vitale Ferrante

Provides overall leadership and represents the club at a governance level.

@president@essendonroyals.com.au
Vice President
David Minnala

Supports the President and contributes to strategic oversight of the club.

Secretary
Matthew Galea

Governance, compliance, official correspondence and confidential matters.

@secretary@essendonroyals.com.au
Treasurer
Chris Pantelidis

Oversees the club's financial management and reporting.

@treasurer@essendonroyals.com.au
Senior Football Representative
Steve Tribuzio

Represents senior football matters on the committee.

Junior Football Representative
Sherene Di Sauro

Represents junior football matters on the committee.

General & Club Operations
General Manager
Sherene Di Sauro

Primary club contact for all non-football enquiries, partnerships, governance and strategy.

@gm@essendonroyals.com.au
Club Administrator
Enza Buttigieg

Day-to-day admin and operations, training logistics, ground and match-day support.

@clubadmin@essendonroyals.com.au
Media Manager
Matthew Galea

Social media, website and app communications across the club.

@marketing@essendonroyals.com.au
Registrations
Club Registrar
Shannon Gibb

PlayFootball registrations, transfers, registration errors and payment queries.

@registrations@essendonroyals.com.au
Football Department
Head of Football
Vaughan Coveny

Oversees the football pathway and leads across all programs.

@hof@essendonroyals.com.au
Senior Women's Head Coach
Jaiden Van Der Heijden

Leads the senior women's program and NPLW squad.

@womens@essendonroyals.com.au
GVYPL & NPLW Lead
Grace Maher

Girls elite pathway, GVYPL enquiries and NPLW football matters.

@td-girls@essendonroyals.com.au
Community Girls & Girls HPP Lead
Lydia Schiferegger

Community girls teams and the Girls High Performance Program.

@girls@essendonroyals.com.au
Community Boys Lead
Michael Curcija

Community boys teams, team allocations and coaching support.

@mcurcija@essendonroyals.com.au
Boys High Performance Lead
John Psarras

Boys High Performance Program, structure, selection and training.

@hp-program@essendonroyals.com.au
Headshots to come. We will swap the crest placeholders for real photography of our people as it is captured this season.
Our Home

Where the Royals play.

Our players call Melbourne's north-west home, training and playing across the grounds that have shaped generations of Royals football.

Get behind Ormond Park

Cross Keys Reserve

Our principal home ground in Essendon, where match days and the heart of the club come together.

Ormond Park

A long-standing Royals base in Moonee Valley, and the ground at the centre of our campaign for a fair go.

Moonee Valley

We play an active part in the development of football facilities across the municipality, for our members and our community.

Be part of the Royals family.

Whether you want to play, support the club, or get behind our campaigns, there is a place for you in red and white.