Melbourne City FC will launch an exciting new community initiative, City Sisters, in conjunction with local job service provider MatchWorks at the Club’s new headquarters, City Football Academy, Melbourne, onThursday 12 March.
The innovative six-month program will give 17 unemployed and under-employed female MatchWorks clients from the Preston and Epping areas the opportunity to develop their employability skills while also learning about active and healthful living.
Through City Sisters, participants aged 17 to 24 will work with football club development staff to undertake soccer, fitness and lifestyles programs, while also partaking in MatchWorks job search and interview preparation training and career guidance, and a mentorship program with women in business.
Melbourne City FC Head of Community, Sue Crow, said; “City Sisters is about giving participants the opportunity to become the best person they can be and will encourage participants to gain meaningful employment and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
“We are very proud to be working closely with MatchWorks on this initiative which we hope will help enrich the lives of these young participants.”
MatchWorks General Manager Michael Wasley said the participants were excited to be involved in the multi-faceted initiative.
“This program gives participants the opportunity to develop skills, increase their confidence, network with potential employers, and ultimately realise a career path,” Mr Wasley said.
“Our goal is for them to gain enough confidence in their abilities to enter the workforce and succeed in their chosen field.
“Employment not only brings financial benefits but it plays an important role in our sense of identity, our feelings of self-worth and our level of participation in society.”
The launch event will see presentations from Melbourne City FC CEO Scott Munn and MatchWorks Operations Manager Colin Entwistle, while Melbourne City FC defender Robbie Wielaert will present each participant with their own Melbourne City FC training shirt to wear throughout the six month program.
City Sisters will run until September 2015, with opportunities throughout the initiative for participants to hear from guest speakers, meet Melbourne City FC players and attend Hyundai A-League matches, among other activities.
