It was a significant day for the development of football within the Northern Region yesterday as the Carlton Football Club and Northern Football League officially announced a partnership agreement.

Chief Executive Officer Greg Swann and Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Football League Jeremy Bourke launched the partnership on stage in front of the large crowd which had gathered for the club’s annual Carlton Carnival event at Visy Park yesterday. 

As part of this partnership, the Carlton Football Club is committing a significant amount of resources and energies into the promotion and development of football through the NFL region. Classified as the “Blue Zone”, the bringing together of the Carlton Football Club and Northern Football League (along with the Northern Blues and AFL Victoria) provides for a stronger community focus and representation of the region at the highest level.

CEO Greg Swann said the partnership would help unite the local community with an elite sporting club.

"In 2013 we are proud to partner with the Northern Football League to help develop the pathway for football in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and importantly to extend our work with the local community," Swann said.

“The Carlton Football Club has enjoyed a very successful ten-year relationship with the VFL team representing Melbourne’s northern corridor, the Northern Blues, enabling Carlton to become more involved with the local community."

Northern Football League CEO Jeremy Bourke said the partnership would raise the profile of the league in the northern region.

“Carlton’s support of community engagement programs, game and professional development initiatives and NFL events not only lifts the profile of these programs, it ensures that all levels of the sport remain connected," he said.

"The region now has a TAC Cup team, a VFL team and an AFL team which truly supports the development of football participants from entry level to elite.”

The partnership will see Carlton FC players, coaches and officials actively involved with Auskick, junior football and school programs, along with attendance at events, seminars and education programs.

An important focus will be multicultural, female and inclusive participation and many new initiatives are planned throughout the 2013 season.