Sydney soccer match supports new Afghan refugees

Yesterday marked a welcome collaboration with Massoud Foundation Australia, as we delivered a free soccer tournament for Afghan refugees who recently fled to Australia for a safer life.

More than 100 people attended the event at Francesco Crescent Reserve in Bella Vista to welcome the new refugees who had escaped their home country in desperate circumstances after the recent change in power. Now some of these refugees are beginning their resettlement journey in the Sydney Greater West region.

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“The Afghan refugees have been in quarantine, so were over the moon for a day out in the community playing soccer and meeting other refugees,” MatchWorks Site Manager, Zali Dardmal said.

“Many have trauma and PTSD from their experiences back home, including some who left behind family. Their feelings of isolation are immense so we wanted to create a welcoming event where people could meet others and reduce their sense of isolation.”

In addition to meeting local refugees, yesterday’s soccer tournament event was an opportunity to link the Afghan’s to local support services and employers who will provide much needed stability in the years ahead. This is the first of many steps in the resettlement process as we continue to collaborate to bring peace, a home, and secure work into the lives of refugees.

Special thanks to genU Training – RTO 5553 and the Valerio Daniel De Simoni Association for supporting this free community event.