Migrant Resource Centre with project director Anne Bunde-Birouste Identifying a need by undertaking research supporters enjoys worldwide appeal and is thus already familiar The program began its one year development phase in April to most refugees (soccer may be one of the few 2006.The program director, familiar aspects of their new life in Australia) Anne Bunde-Birouste, was interested in working with is relatively inexpensive vulnerable populations in post-conflict situations around is a non-contact, non-violent sport the issue of health. Encouraging participation in sport can be played by both genders. would, she believed, improve the health of the refugee It can be difficult for to gain access to Sydney’s ‘outsiders’ community. soccer-playing world. It was important to discover, Research indicates that regular participation in sport not therefore, if refugee populations were successfully finding only improves physical health and fitness, but also builds and accessing opportunities to play the game. stronger communities by offering positive role models and As part of the program’s strategic planning, refugee mentors for young people from disadvantaged communities were mapped according to age, gender and communities, and providing them with opportunities to location and existing soccer opportunities were mapped meet and socialise. and explored. In addition, research was conducted on who Soccer was chosen for this program because it: was already participating and what the barriers were to involvement. strongly fosters socialisation among its players and
Migrant Resource Centre with project director Anne Bunde-Birouste Identifying a need by undertaking research The program began its one year development phase in April 2006.The program director, Anne Bunde-Birouste, was interested in working with vulnerable populations in post-conflict situations around the issue of health. Encouraging participation in sport would, she believed, improve the health of the refugee community. Research indicates that regular participation in sport not only improves physical health and fitness, but also builds stronger communities by offering positive role models and mentors for young people from disadvantaged communities, and providing them with opportunities to meet and socialise. Soccer was chosen for this program because it: strongly fosters socialisation among its players and supporters enjoys worldwide appeal and is thus already familiar to most refugees (soccer may be one of the few familiar aspects of their new life in Australia) is relatively inexpensive is a non-contact, non-violent sport can be played by both genders. It can be difficult for ‘outsiders’ to gain access to Sydney’s soccer-playing world. It was important to discover, therefore, if refugee populations were successfully finding and accessing opportunities to play the game. As part of the program’s strategic planning, refugee communities were mapped according to age, gender and location and existing soccer opportunities were mapped and explored. In addition, research was conducted on who was already participating and what the barriers were to involvement.
2-soccer-development-program_0.docx