As part of the Club’s International Women’s Day celebrations, Melbourne City FC hosted a week of activities designed to break down barriers for women and empower young girls.
On Tuesday morning, City hosted its annual girls speed mentoring event at the City Football Academy (CFA) in Bundoora.
More than 70 girls from the Club’s network of affiliate schools, young community leaders, City members and representatives from SEDA attended the event, held at the Club’s Elite Women’s Training Facility at the City Football Academy.
The mentoring was delivered by influential women from a range of different backgrounds, who offered great insight into their career pathways and their overall involvement as women in sport. Among the mentors, was former Matildas captain and current Deputy Chief Executive of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), Kathryn Gill.
Interviewed by fellow mentor and FNR host, Louise Taffa, Gill spoke to the group about the Westfield Matildas upcoming 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in France, before the girls broke into separate groups to hear from a range of different mentors.
The mentors included a range of inspiring women, from organisations including UBTECH, BDO, McDonald’s, SAP, PFA and Melbourne City FC.
On Tuesday afternoon, City in the Community and ESG MatchWorks ran the City Sisters program in Epping. 10 women attended the program, where they undertook activities to boost their confidence, change their lifestyle and improve their chances of finding ongoing employment. The women participated in a range of football activities as well receiving gifts from the Club.
On Wednesday morning, City hosted a meeting of Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) Women’s Council, as the group was given a tour of the CFA.
The week of activities hosted by City is closely aligned with the Club’s Same City, Same Passion campaign; a campaign aimed at promoting women’s football. Same City, Same Passion recognises that “It’s not Women’s Football. It’s not Men’s Football. It’s Just Football.”
Founded in 2015, City were Premiers in their inaugural season and claimed three Championships from its first three seasons. With the team inspiring girls and boys on the pitch, the Club wishes to do the same off the pitch as we continue to share the same approach and philosophy at the Club between all teams.
