ABOUT US


BACKGROUND ABOUT US

Football Empowerment (FE) was established in 2016 by a group of young people from the western suburbs of Melbourne. Building on their passion for football, these youngsters desired more and dreamt bigger for the CALD communities in the Westside. Seeing Football as a catalyst for potential change, with its undeniable ability to brake racial, gender, sexual and many other barriers; the young people started building this fast-growing Football based organisation that is quickly becoming a Football Empire in the western suburbs of Melbourne. In its short establishment years, the organisation has carried out various community-based soccer programs and events with vision to engage young people who are at risk or who could potentially be at risk of disengagement. Coming from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds; the founders of the organisation understood the challenges faced by the young people from CALD communities; and we continue to understand the struggles today; this organisation has become the medium for many young people who are at risk of disengagement.
Using football as our template, we aim to educate, mentor and monitor the progress of young people in our communities. We have a desire to impact the health and wellbeing of young people and develop youth leaders who can contribute to the social fabric of the community. Two of Football Empowerment’s main goals are to identify young leaders within our circle of engagement and link them with noticeable organisations for employment. The selected leaders will be made the sources of inspiration and aspiration for other young people. We want to inspire young people from CALD communities to start aiming higher in choice of occupation. The second main goal relates to our desire to see more young people from CALD backgrounds entering the sport industry; FE’s goal is Football (soccer) specific. We have various programs designated to elite Football Training for young people aspiring to become professional Footballers.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Sport has the capacity to transform the lives of individuals. It reinforces physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being and development. At the same time sport plays a significant role in cultural and community engagement globally. These factors alone justify the investment one can have in a sporting program. But there is also a growing understanding that sport programs merit support because they are powerful vehicles for achieving broader goals, particularly in advancing development and peace agendas.

Experts around the world have concluded that physical education is a critical component of a child’s overall education. It can improve body awareness and help a child develop healthy habits at an early age. There is also evidence that participation in physical education improves concentration and performance in academic courses. Furthermore, such classes provide an opportunity to address broader health and safety issues and ensure that all children, including those with disabilities, have an opportunity to participate in sport.

Established in 2016, Football Empowerment is a not-for-profit organisation based in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne which aims to address social issues facing young people from disadvantaged communities through soccer.

CORE VALUES

  • Leadership - recognised for innovation and quality in teaching methods
  • Inspiring - We encourage belief and self-confidence in young people and staff through a combination of wisdom and imagination
  • Unity - We welcome all into our Football Empowerment; participating together with a loyalty and trust that cannot be broken.
  • Respect - We encourage equality and opportunity without exclusion within our team, our communities and the young people we work with. We believe everyone has the chance to earn respect.
  • Diversity - embrace the diversity of individuals, ideas and expressions
  • Passion - for learning and teaching
  • Integrity - hold high standards of character

Education Programme Outcomes

  • Improved engagement with school/college
  • Increased achievement
  • Improved behaviour
  • Increased confidence and self-esteem
  • Improved mental and physical health
  • Increased participation and social inclusion
  • Improved relationships

Health Programme Outcomes

  • Increased confidence and self-esteem
  • Improved mental health
  • Improved physical health and weight loss
  • Increased participation and social inclusion
  • Increased participation and social inclusion
  • Improved relationships
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