DIVISION 3 rivals Mernda and Epping will square off for the Patrick Chow Cup when they meet in the opening round of the 2016 NFL season.
Chow, who owns Chow Gardens Restaurant in Epping, has been a long time sponsor of Mernda and Epping, supporting both football clubs for the past 30 years.
The two clubs have now struck up the Patrick Chow Cup, which they will play for once a season for the next 10 years.
Mernda president Vinny Hanlon said the cup was a way to recognise Chow’s significant contribution to both clubs.
“Patrick is a fantastic person who has given so much to our clubs over the past 30 years,” Hanlon said.
“It’s not just our club but also the Epping Football Club. He loves both clubs and comes to games and our turns whenever he is able to.
“He’s been a loyal supporter of our club and we love getting to his restaurant which has the best Chinese food in the northern suburbs.”
Hanlon said the Mernda and Epping would meet for the cup during the pre-season if either moved into a different division over the next decade.
The Round 1 clash will also combine as a launch of Mernda’s new home base at Waterview Reserve.
The $9.6?million sports centre features two football ovals with lighting, a netball court, a half basketball court and a mixed-use community pavilion.
Hanlon said his club was excited about finally stepping out on its new home ground, with more than 120 new members already signed up ahead of the season.
“It really is a new era for us,” Hanlon said.
“We’ve gone from having the worst facilities in the competition to having probably the best facilities in the league.
“Being in a huge growth corridor, there has been great interest in the club going into the new season. The response has been incredible from the local community.
“Our junior base is really growing, and it’s not just the footy club which is benefitting, it’s also the cricket, netball and callisthenics.”
Upon opening the new grounds last November, Whittlesea mayor Steven Kozmevski expressed the importance the facility would have on the local community.
“Sports facilities such as this are important hubs for providing essential services to our community,” he said.
“As Mernda is home to nearly 17,000 residents, and counting, this centre is a wonderful place to bring the community together under one roof.
Hanlon said Mernda had enjoyed a promising pre-season under new coach Jason Ford.
The Demons were last year relegated from Division 2 after winning just one match for the season.
Opponent Epping also heads into the game with a new coach, with Greg Whitcroft replacing Steve Power.
The Blues reached the Division 3 grand final last year, where they suffered a 29-point defeat to Reservoir.
