Launch of the Sports without Borders Foundation
The Sports without Borders Foundation is an initiative of Swinburne University of Technology, the Hellenic Australian Sports Foundation (ATHLOS) and the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Its aim is to assist young people from newly arrived refugee, humanitarian and first generation migrant backgrounds to integrate into their communities through sport.
The Foundation was launched on Wednesday May 2 nd , 2007 . The launch was attended by key stakeholders, such as the AFL, the Victorian Institute of Sport, the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Foundation House, The Portland House Group, the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues and the Special Broadcasting Service.
So far the Foundation has generated $65,000. At the launch several awards and scholarships were presented. Andrew Demetriou, C.E.O of the Australian Football League, presented the Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2007 to Bachar Houli, Essendon draft pick and the first devout Muslim player in the AFL.
Mr George Lekakis, Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, presented awards to Remzi Dermele, the United Somali Association of Australia and the Al Amen Iraqi Organisation in Cobram. In his speech at the launch Mr Lekakis said:
Sportsmen and women are often regarded as social ambassadors that move across cultural, linguistic and religious barriers in a way that unites us through our love of sport and the values inherent in genuine sportsmanship. The establishment of the Sports Without Borders Foundation recognises that by identifying and addressing specific migrant community needs we strengthen society in general.
Andrew Demetriou, CEO of the AFL,
presents Bachar Houli with his
Award for Outstanding Achievement
For further information on Sports without Borders contact Lisa Gye on 92148345.
The Sports without Borders web portal is also now online:
www.sportswithoutborders.net.au
4 May 2007
