Melissa Barbieri named in Football Australia's Team of Coaches initiative

Melbourne City is delighted to announce that Melissa Barbieri has been selected as a member of Football Australia’s inaugural Team of Coaches initiative.

Barbieri, a shot stopper and Assistant Coach at City, has been selected for the program which is designed to support the next generation of high-performance football coaches by providing them with invaluable experience in national team environments, international camps, and tournaments, all while maintaining their club commitments.

With over 15 years of international experience, the former Matildas captain is one of four high-performance club coaches to be selected for the program.

Her extensive background not only includes her current playing career, but also her commitment to coaching. Barbieri joined City’s coaching ranks in 2018, and has specialised in goalkeeper development, leadership mentoring and tactical coaching.

Barbieri’s leadership and dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent has been key to City’s success, and she will continue to help develop the growth of the game in Australia with this opportunity.

The Key Objectives of ‘Team of Coaches’ Initiative are:

• Advance senior coach development to keep Australia competitive globally.

• Strengthen coaching depth and pathways within the football ecosystem.

• Identify and mentor future national team coaches, ensuring long-term succession.

• Bridge the gap between club and international football, offering high-performance exposure.

• Enhance collaboration between clubs and national teams, integrating best-practice coaching.

On behalf of the entire Club, we would like to acknowledge and congratulate Bubs for her selection.

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