Football Federation Victoria is delighted to announce the introduction of the Mirabella Cup, a state-wide knockout cup competition for all Victorian clubs. The competition is open to all Football Federation Victoria clubs, and both Victoria’s Hyundai A-League clubs – Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory – who have committed to entering. Mirabella International has committed to a long term sponsorship arrangement, demonstrating their support for the sport and competition. The Mirabella Cup will build on the traditions of the Dockerty Cup, which commenced in 1909 and was last played for in 2004 and won by the Green Gully Cavaliers.

“We’re well aware of the history and tradition of the Dockerty Cup and its popularity in Victorian football,” FFV CEO Mark Rendell said. “To have Mirabella International on board to enable us to bring back a knockout cup competition into the football calendar is wonderful for our sport.“We’re expecting it to be popular throughout all of our leagues, in both metropolitan and regional Victoria, as it will provide every club a terrific opportunity to face off against Victoria’s two Hyundai A-League clubs, Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory. “With $50,000 in prize money on offer, the Mirabella Cup is sure to be fiercely contested amongst Victorian clubs.”

Mirabella International are the market leaders in light globes and lighting in Australia. Sales and Marketing Manager, Joe Mirabella, is delighted to be supporting the competition.“My father and I have been involved in football in Victoria for many years and we saw this as a great opportunity for us to give something back to the football community in Victoria. We are excited about the partnership and FFV, and see it as a long term investment in the sport,” Joe Mirabella said.

The competition is set to commence in late March 2011, with finals to be played prior to the start of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season. Stage one will be a knockout format for all amateur men’s clubs state-wide, stage two will see Victoria’s semi-professional leagues - the Alanic Victorian Premier League and State League One clubs - introduced, with Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory coming in at the Quarter Final stage later in the year.