Northern NSW Football is proud to announce the continuation of its MiniRoos Multicultural Settlement Program into term three.
The free program is designed to build social inclusion and connections with the community for new migrant families.
The program aims to introduce organised football to new migrant girls and boys aged between four and 11-years-old from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Participants and their families will be encouraged to join local summer competitions at the program’s conclusion with the intention to join a local club in 2023. This is to help ensure a more gradual transition to club football for those playing for the first time.
NNSWF Programs Co-ordinator Joe Wright said the program had a number of benefits following its successful roll out in term two.
“The Multicultural Settlement Program is a great way for participants and their families to be involved with football in a fun, safe and inclusive football environment,” Wright said.
“This will help with their transition into club football where they can make new friends from a variety of backgrounds. Our goal is to transition 200 players from the program into club football.
“By helping them transition into a football club we hope it will help integrate them into the wider community even further and build that connection.
“The program is a great way for kids to be introduced to organised football in Australia because it uses game-based training to create a fun and safe environment where kids can meet new friends and find their passion for football.”
The program will run for eight weeks and be held at Jesmond and a new hub at Coffs Harbour, with each hub hosting manual registration days.
The Coffs Harbour hub will be delivered in partnership with RISE. Rise have been working with newly arrived members of the Coffs Harbour community for the last two and a half years. They are a not-for-profit organisation that have delivered football programs for boys and girls aged between five and 18-years-old.
Existing coaches at RISE will deliver the program in collaboration with NNSWF staff as part of the partnership.
The program features one-hour sessions run after school hours, with coaches and equipment provided. Coaches will also be from CALD backgrounds.
Each participant will receive a MiniRoos pack including a football, backpack and lunchbox at the end of the program.
MiniRoos Multicultural Settlement Program details
Coffs Harbour Hub – Key Employment (61 West High Street, Coffs Harbour)
Manual Registration Days – Monday 18 July 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Program start date – 25 July 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Program end date – 12 September
Jesmond Hub – Heaton Park
Manual Registration Days – 13 and 20 July 4pm to 5pm
Program start date – 27 July 4pm to 5pm
Program end date – 14 September
Cost: Free
CALD boys and girls aged 15+ can apply to become a coach HERE
