Parramatta FC, the Maltese team based in Sydney, has turned the corner.

After 50 years in competitive football in New South Wales, Parramatta have secured the backing of a very strong organisation.

Tony Azzopardi, the club president, said that the future is now secured.

"We have just completed a 'double' following our partnership with the Granville Association and the Police Community Youth Clubs (PCYC) of Australia," Azzopardi said.

The deal was approved at a special general meeting of members of the Parramatta Melita Eagles Sports Club, held at the Melita Stadium last week.

PCYC wanted to incorporate mainstream football into their activities and by striking a partnership with an established club in the region, this will be achieved sooner than later.

At the meeting, Chris Gardner, PCYC chief, said the partnership deal with Parramatta will bring a customised range of sport, arts and recreation facilities to youths in this vast region.

PCYC's involvement in the game is a breakthrough.

Soccer NSW must be delighted by such an active involvement with the largest sports and arts organisation in Australia with some 50,000 members and 58 clubs.

It would certainly bring financial stability to Parramatta FC and a beacon of light to other clubs that are struggling to keep abreast of the many demands and sudden changes associated with the modern game of football.

Parramatta FC, known better to the Maltese fans as Melita Eagles, can now celebrate their 50th anniversary with their future assured.

With a lease of another 21 years on Melita Stadium, the club is now totally assimilated into mainstream Australia.