For the past eight weeks, Football Victoria's Miniroo’s Multicultural Settlement Program has attended Dandenong Primary School, using football to assist newly arrived CALD families to integrate into their new community.
Overall, more than 90 kids registered for the program, many from Afghanistan who recently arrived in Australia with their families. The initiative has been a resounding success, with a celebration held during Refugee Week to wrap-up the program in a day of fun, football and social activities.
The celebrations included various activities, football tournaments, prizes, and family activities that got the entire school community involved. There was even a GO Soccer Mum's event held for the Afghan families and football clinics to give everybody an opportunity to have a kick and get involved.
A major highlight of the day was the attendance of the inspirational Afghan Women's National Team, who shared their incredible story with Football Victoria last week.
The team participated in an exhibition match alongside Grade 5 and 6 girls and addressed the students about their experience, triumphing through adversity and settling in to their new home of Melbourne. The national team's story resonated strongly with the kids and their families and provided further insight into how football can create such a positive impact on people's lives.
The Multicultural Settlement Program is an introductory program that offers football for newly arrived migrant kids (girls and boys aged 4-11), aiming to enhance social inclusion and connection.
The program aims to introduce newly arrived communities to the structured football environment in Australia, and provide meaningful community integration opportunities.