North Melbourne CEO Eugene Arocca was in Ballarat on Friday with locals Drew Petrie and Cam Richardson to help launch the regions innovative ‘Aussie Rules Club Classic’ - a pre-season competition that provides metropolitan and country football clubs with an opportunity to participate in a weekend of practice matches against clubs from a range of associations and leagues across Victoria.

“We are proud to be a sponsor of this exciting initiative and we congratulate everyone involved on bringing this together,” Arocca said.

“North Melbourne fully supports this tournament and we feel it falls in line with our ongoing commitment to bring AFL football to Ballarat and its surrounding regions.”

The Aussie Rules Club Classic will provide matches for the Open, Reserve Grade, Master’s, Under 18 and Female divisions.

“I think it’s great for the region and I’m happy that North is supporting the push to bring more football to Ballarat,” Petrie said.

The event will provide a “festival of football” over a three day weekend and will allow clubs of all standards to enter teams, play in a competitive competition and give coaches much-needed bonding time, leadership planning and intensive fitness work with their players.