Fitness is their goal

A NEW soccer program aims to get Dandenong workers fit and having fun in the community.
Following a successful five-week pilot corporate soccer program at Mills Reserve late last year, City of Greater Dandenong council is seeking expressions of interest for a 2013 competition in central Dandenong.
Mayor Angela Long said it was a way for workplaces to offer employees healthy opportunities.
“The corporate soccer program is also an opportunity for corporate Dandenong workers to connect with the community they live and work in,” she said.
“On the soccer field it’s not about what you do every day, what your life experience is or where you’re at in your life – it is a level playing field, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The council’s South East Business Networks last year teamed up with Big Issue and Mission Australia to design a five-week pilot corporate soccer program for local businesses in Greater Dandenong as a way to link the local community to corporate Dandenong.
It attracted five teams, including a Street Soccer team.
“Street Soccer has been a great success in Greater Dandenong and it has shared its experience with corporate Dandenong to show that an ongoing corporate soccer program could be successful,” Cr Long said.
The council is supporting workplaces to create healthier workplaces through its Health and Wellbeing team. The initiative targets the underlying causes of chronic diseases including smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity.
Absenteeism due to sickness costs Australian businesses $7 billion a year, or about $1000 per employee per year.
For every $1 invested in workplace health and wellbeing a return of $5.82 can be recouped in reduced absenteeism costs.
To express interest in the 2013 Corporate Soccer Program contact the council’s recreation development officer at mark.pettifer@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Email healthandwellbeing@cgd.vic.gov.au for more information about becoming a healthier workplace.