Football United Scholar

The first UNSW Football United scholarship recipient 17-year-old Sudanese refugee Teresa Yuol is celebrating as she kicks off her university career. Teresa has begun classes in anthropology and sociology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), supported by the first scholarship in a pilot program designed to help young people with inadequate resources, minimal formal schooling, and limited family support to access a tertiary education. Teresa's scholarship program began this year with a year-long bridging program, and then Bachelor degree study. Teresa said it was a special feeling to be a Football United member and to be offered the chance of a tertiary education. "I have been part of Football United for the last four years, joining when I was 13. It is great to be offered this opportunity. It was just a few weeks ago that they called me and said that I got the scholarship. I couldn't describe the way I felt at that time. I am looking forward to start at UNSW and achieve my goals by little steps and with the help of Football United and UNSW there is no doubt that I will succeed," Teresa said. Football United founder, Ms Anne-Bunde-Birouste, from UNSW's School of Public Health and Community Medicine, said "Teresa is just one example of what kids will achieve if someone takes the time to support and believe in them. We work hard to promote opportunities that can assist them to overcome the inequities that littered the path of the Football United kids. I am proud to be part of an excellent university that recognizes that there is more than one way to assess an individual's capacity, and supports such an initiative". Teresa also wrote a message, in her own words, to other members of the Football United community. "To football united, fans, players, volunteers and the organisation leaders some of you may not know me but some do for those who don't my name is Teresa Yuol my background is Sudanese and I moves to Australia back in 2003. I been part of Football United® for the last 4 years. I am excited to share some of my great news with you all. It was not long ago when I graduated from high school and now am finding myself in a new lifestyle of university. Football United® founder Anne Bunde-Birouste have work hard with the UNSW to get scholarships to the Football United® participants, special to those who finish year 12. It is a special feeling to be a Football United® member to be offered this opportunity. It was just a few weeks ago went Anne called me and said that I got the scholarship. I couldn't describe the way I felt at that time. I am now about to start at UNSW doing Sociology and Anthropology, but with further future study I'll be studying Public Relations as my career. This is a wonderful opportunity for me and I am not going to waste it. I am looking forward to start at UNSW and achieve my goals by a little step and with the help of Football United® and UNSW there is no doubt that I will succeed. And to those of Football United® kids who may get this opportunity in the future please don't turn it down because opportunities like this come only once in a life time. And put it this way - free scholarship you don't have to pay the government back after your studies - you just have to prove that you were the perfect person for the scholarship and just believe in yourself!"

THE ROUND BALL BECOMES UNITED!

The Round Ball Community Football Development Program pulled of a major coup recently in luring the Founder and Executive Director of Football United, Anne Bunde-Birouste to Mount Gambier. Scott Dickson, CEO of the Mount Gambier based football program, The Round Ball was delighted with the opportunity to discuss football with Bunde-Birouste, whom Dickson describes as a role model and inspiration. "Anne is the founder of Football United and the Convener of the Health Promotion Program at the UNSW Graduate School of Public Health and Community Medicine. She is active internationally on a number of boards and scientific advisory committees in this capacity, as well as with Street Football World as Director of Football United." Dickson was full of praise for the American born Bunde-Birouste and her award winning Football United program which she founded in 2006. The program is is on the verge of spreading around Australia and The Round Ball is keen to be a part of it. Football United has signed up with Football Australia's national development plan and Bunde-Birouste is keen to now join forces with Dickson's Round Ball program to include indigenous projects and bridge communities across the Limestone Coast. "Football United is a leading organisation that uses football for social development." Dickson added, "We have tried locally to have a strong moral purpose and support areas that need development like running a program for Aboriginal children supported by the FFA and assisting in the establishment of a Regional Development Squad for girls several years ago with the support of the South East Womens Football Association. Currently we are providing football programs via the Active After Schools Communities program at both North Gambier Primary School and McDonald Park School as well as assisting several disadvantaged migrant players to take part in local development programs." Bunde-Birouste is well aware of the benefits that football can have to a community, "It is important to understand why football is seen as a tool that can be used to better society. Research suggests that participation in sport can be crucial in the development of young people. Health and fitness, through the pursuit of physical activity, is widely regarded as a key factor in personal development and many of the skills that are fundamental in sports participation, particularly in team sports, are transferable in wider aspects of life. Sport encourages strong community bonds, regular physical activity and access to positive mentors for young people. In disadvantaged communities these features are essential to social development." "I am looking forward to catching up with Scott and The Round Ball team and seeing how we can support one another to try and do something special in this part of the world," added Bunde-Birouste. While in Mount Gambier Bunde-Birouste met with members of the Western Border Soccer Association, the South East Womens Football Association, The Mount Gambier City Council, representatives from the New Arrivals program at North Gambier Primary School, and staff from several local primary and secondary schools.

COMING SOON!

We are delighted to announce Football United will be involved in a new technology project with huge support from the Telstra Foundation. Community partners, schools and Football United players will be consulted over the next few months as we determine the path that this project will take. If you'd like to learn more please contact Football United through Facebook or Twitter.

FOOTBALL UNITED IN THE MOUNT!

We would like to invite all interested members of the community to the presentation at McDonald Park School Wednesday March 30

7.00-8.00pm

FOOTBALL UNITED PHOTO STORY

Football United meets the Socceroos

The Socceroos and Matildas support Football United

Football United LOVES football

A Passport to Hope

SOCCER SAVIOUR VISITS THE MOUNT

The Round Ball Community Football Development Program has pulled of a major coup in luring the Founder and Executive Director of Football United, Anne Bunde-Birouste
to Mount Gambier next week. CEO of the Mount Gambier based football program, The Round Ball is delighted with the opportunity to discuss football with Bunde-Birouste, whom Dickson describes as a role model and inspiration.
"Anne is the founder of Football United and the Convener of the Health Promotion Program at the UNSW Graduate School of Public Health and Community Medicine. She is active internationally on a number of boards and scientific advisory committees in this capacity, as well as with Street Football World as Director of Football United." Dickson is full of praise for the American born Bunde-Birouste and her award winning Football United program which she founded in 2006. The program is is on the verge of spreading around Australia and The Round Ball is keen to be a part of it.
Football United has signed up with Football Australia's national development plan and Bunde-Birouste hopes that by the end of the year she may be able to join forces with Dickson's Round Ball program to include indigenous projects and bridge communities.

"Football United is a leading organisation that uses football for social development." Dickson added, "We have tried locally to have a strong moral purpose and support areas that need development like running a program for Aboriginal children supported by the FFA and establishing the Regional Development Squad for girls several years ago. Currently we are providing football programs at North Gambier Primary School and have assisted several disadvantaged migrant players to take part in local development programs."

Bunde-Birouste is well aware of the benefits that football can have to a community, "It is important to understand why football is seen as a tool that can be used to better society. Research suggests that participation in sport can be crucial in the development of young people. Health and fitness, through the pursuit of physical activity, is widely regarded as a key factor in personal development and many of the skills that are fundamental in sports participation, particularly in team sports, are transferable in wider aspects of life. Sport encourages strong community bonds, regular physical activity and access to positive mentors for young people. In disadvantaged communities these features are essential to social development."

"I am looking forward to catching up with Scott and The Round Ball team and seeing how we can support one another to try and do something special in this part of the world," added Bunde-Birouste.

Anne Bunde-Birouste present Football United - A passport to Hope at Mcdonald Park School in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Wednesday March 30 at 7pm. She will visit McDonald Park School, North Gambier Primary School and Grant High School while in Mount Gambier. For further information and to secure a seat contact Scott Dickson at McDonald Park School 87249811.

FOOTBALL UNITED SET TO VISIT

We are delighted to announce that next week Anne Bunde-Birouste from Football United will be visiting Mount Gambier as a guest of The Round Ball.

More details will be provided over the next few days.