Richmond Football Club welcomes the Morrison Government’s commitment to providing an additional $3 million for the Bachar Houli Foundation to extend its outreach and provide ongoing development opportunities for young Muslims through sport.
Now fully embedded into Richmond Football Club’s community programming, the Bachar Houli Foundation complements the significant work the Club does with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and other diverse communities.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the investment would almost double the number of program participants each year.
“The Bachar Houli Foundation has gone from strength to strength, and we are delighted to support its ongoing success,” Minister Ruston said.
“We all know the power of sport and our funding investment will almost double its number of annual program participants to help more young Australians.”
Member for Kooyong Josh Frydenberg said the Morrison Government’s investment would also ensure parity with an equal number of programs offered for males and females.
“With AFLW growing in popularity, the Foundation will leverage its success to offer more support for young women and girls across our communities,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“After a successful nine years primarily in Victoria, the funding will also allow the organisation to extend its outreach into New South Wales and Queensland to engage with more young Australians.”
Bachar Houli welcomed the federal investment and said the organisation would be able to extend its services.
"I am proud of the impact the Bachar Houli Foundation is having across Australia and excited about the opportunities we will now be able to continue to provide young boys and girls,” Bachar Houli said.
“We are passionate about developing young leaders and creating pathways for them to achieve their goals.”
Since 2013, Bachar Houli Foundation has engaged over 35,000 participants from the Bachar Houli Academy and leadership programs, and more than 8,000 participants in the Bachar Houli Cup. Over 40 trainees have work under its Employment Program with 80 per cent transitioning to full time employment across the AFL industry.
The Program is named after Bachar Houli, a practising Muslim who played over 200 games in the AFL for clubs Richmond and Essendon. Bachar Houli’s commitment to his AFL career enabled him to become a primary figure in the Muslim community and he is currently an AFL cultural ambassador.
The not-for-profit organisation develops young leaders within the Muslim community and provides personal development for employment, education and leadership opportunities.
