For newly arrived migrants or residents with English as a second language, the Wyndham Humanitarian Network School Holiday Sports Day sought to utilise sports as a tool any person can speak.
The soccer tournament raked in 13 teams worth of participants and organiser Abbas Sheikh said the good turn out was indicative of the need for the program.
“The majority of the cohort are newly arrived, it’s about creating connecting and bringing them to the space through their interest in sports,” Mr Sheikh said.
“A lot of them don’t have a lot of money to pay for registration so this breaks those barriers in terms of getting them into sports.”
Attendees were also encouraged to try their hand at netball for the first time, and various engagements were held for families and friends to participate in, including a BBQ.
“When they engage in sports they engage in employment, they can meet a mentor, someone who can offer them a job,” Mr Sheikh said.
“The main thing is to showcase and offer opportunity for people, and show the they can rely on other stakeholders and council to provide a free space to play.
The sports day was held on Friday, September 30, at Galvin Park, Werribee.
