Melbourne City FC and ESG MatchWorks have combined to deliver City Sisters, a program uniting football and job skills for young unemployed women and under-employed female job seekers to boost their confidence, change their lifestyle, and improve their chances of finding ongoing employment.
Launched at Epping Scout Hall on Tuesday morning, participants undertook a range of football drills, before hearing from MatchWorks Executive Director, Renae Lowry, and Melbourne City FC CEO, Scott Munn. Former Matildas international and Melbourne City FC goalkeeper, Melissa Barbieri presented each participant with a City jersey.
The program for Women will run in Melbourne’s north for seven weeks, with 20 young women enrolled in the program. City will deliver a weekly football session to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles, while MatchWorks will deliver a training program focused on building job skills.
City Sisters and City at Work programs for unemployed young migrants have consistently achieved high employment and education placement outcomes. Last time the City Sisters program was run, 19 job interviews were obtained throughout the group, leading to 14 job placements. 60% of the completed participants gained employment, while all participants enjoyed the program and wanted it to continue.
Head of Community, Sue Crow said: “Our football and job skills programs have been going from strength to strength over the last five years with excellent results in placing unemployed young men and women in jobs or education. Our programs have catered for young women, people with a disability and newly arrived migrants to Australia. We are looking forward to placing all of the City Sisters into work and encouraging them to pursue healthier lifestyles.”
