Reclink model gets a papal tick of approval

Reclink's Peter Cullen is off to meet the Pope. Photo: Damjan Janevski.

A Werribee man will be making a trip to the Vatican next month to share knowledge acquired throughout a long and varied career.

Peter Cullen, the founder of Reclink, has been selected by Pope Francis to attend a global conference focusing on faith and sport.

Titled Sport at the Service of Humanity, Mr Cullen will represent his agency at the conference, which will be held from October 5 to 7.

The aim of the conference is to create a place where thought leaders from different religious faiths, sports, business, academia and media can discuss how faith and sport can work together to better serve humanity.

Mr Cullen said he was honoured to be selected to participate in the conference.

“It’s clear that the Pope sees something about the power of sport, allowing people to do something that’s enjoyable and life-giving in the midst of struggle. It’s extraordinarily powerful,” Mr Cullen said. “In terms of what the Pope is looking for … we are such a good fit.”

Founded in 1990, Reclink has grown into a national organisation that works in partnership with more than 360 community agencies to generate hundreds of sport, recreation and art-inspired events for many thousands of disadvantaged Australians.