Sydney FC’s star striker, Alex Brosque has taken to the field as official Ambassador for Football United – a community program to assist recently arrived humanitarian refugee youth and families.
Alex Brosque launched Football United-s 2009 program at Miller Technology High School in Sydney-s south-west on Friday, March 27 at an event which was proudly supported by the Federal Government-s National Action Plan funding program and celebrates Harmony Day 2009.
An initiative of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, “Football United” harnesses a love of the world game to build opportunities for belonging, racial harmony and social inclusion amongst Australia-s new immigrants. The program operates in partnerships with Councils, Migrant Resource Centres, football clubs and associations.
“Alex Brosque’s enthusiasm to support Football United brings significant recognition to the program, inspiration to the participants, and will assist us to grow and offer new opportunities,” said Football United founder and University of New South Wales Public Health lecturer, Anne Bunde-Birouste.
Football United is a member of FIFA-s strategic partner network ‘Streetfootballworld- and recently received a grant from FIFA’s Football For Hope program.
The Football United program has evolved in the two-and-a-half years since its inception, with a series of government grants and new corporate sponsorships (JP Morgan, Gilbert + Tobin, INVESTEC, Commonwealth Bank).
“People come together over things they are passionate about – Football-s power to bring people together through their common passion is uncanny; it makes our program really exciting and heaps of fun for all” said Ms Bunde-Birouste.
Sydney FC CEO, Stefan Kamasz added, “Our club is proud to be an ongoing partner with Football United in this wonderful football program. Alex, who has previously worked within the program in the past, is already admired by a number of the youngsters and is a terrific choice as the official Ambassador for Football United.”
Between 6,000 and 7,000 refugee children arrive in Australia every year, mostly from Africa and the Middle East.
