Werribee’s Peter Cullen is so passionate about helping people experiencing disadvantage that he decided to make a difference.
It was 1990, and having crossed paths with a number of people experiencing mental illness, homelessness or isolation, he decided to form Reclink.
“I thought, what if we could provide an opportunity that was immediate and could move people into another world,” he said.
“A world that could be caring and compassionate, something clearly life-giving, ongoing and structured. What if they could feel their bodies working, sweating endorphins, experiencing life’s natural bodily high?”
Today, Reclink provides a series of broad- ranging programs focused on getting people to play sport.
“That’s what the model has been able to achieve: including the unincluded in the best of what sport provides,” Mr Cullen said.
Reclink began as a kick-to-kick program 25 years ago and now involves 10,000 people living with disadvantage.
Its numerous programs involve football, cricket and street soccer teams, yoga classes, tenpin bowling, fishing and golf.
“These people are suffering confusion and anxiety; their pain is being carried in their bodies,” Mr Cullen said. “Sport has become a great protector, bridge and platform for them.”
Someone to talk to
He cited the story of one man who signed up to one of the football teams.
“When I asked him about what he got out of playing in a team I’d set up, he told me he liked hearing people call him by his name when he trained or played,” he said.
“This man used to make doctors’ appointments just to have someone to talk to and hadn’t worked in 13 years after experiencing an extreme loss of confidence in his job at a bank.
“Eventually, he did volunteer work, became the captain of a Reclink cricket team and found employment through this process of involvement and confidence-building.”
Mr Cullen’s efforts were recognised by the state government last month, when he received the Service to Sport and Recreation award in this year’s Community Sport and Recreation Awards.
“I was moved that someone has taken the time to nominate me,” he said. “It’s good to know some people value what you’re doing.”
Reclink Australia is celebrating 25 years with a family fun day at Peanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda, on Sunday. The action kicks off at 11am, with performers, sport activities, storytelling, and more.
