The Football United Story

2004 – 2006: The Foundation

Inspired by the unifying power of the 1998 World Cup in France, Anne Bunde-Birouste begins exploring how football could support refugee settlement in Australia.

 

Research & Consultation: Two years of literature reviews and deep community engagement with Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) and football groups.

In August 2006, the Refugee Soccer Program officially launches in Blacktown, offering coaching and refereeing courses for youth. The Refugee Soccer Program was launched in August 2006, followed by coaching, refereeing courses for youth in Blacktown. 

2007 – 2008: Rebranding & Rapid Growth

During the first holiday camp in 2007, participants rename the initiative Football United.

  • Strategic Wins: A landmark partnership with law firm Gilbert + Tobin is established, and the Blacktown "Football in the Park" drop-in program begins.

  • School Integration: In 2008, the first school-based programs launch at Miller and Lurnea High Schools.

  • Global Reach: Football United joins the Streetfootballworld network and secures a major ARC grant to measure social impact.

 

2009 – 2010: To the World Stage

South Africa 2010: Football United youth travel to the FIFA Football for Hope Festival during the World Cup.

  • Award-Winning Storytelling: The journey is captured in the film Passport to Hope, which wins a Human Rights Award.

  • Capacity Building: Assmaah Helal and Stuart Meney join the team.

  • Creating Chances: The early iterations of the "Life Skills through Sport" workshops are launched.

2011 – 2012: Innovation & Evidence

Three years of data proving the program’s positive impact on refugee youth.

  • Measuring Success: David Gonski presents the ARC Report.

  • Digital Connections: Supported by the Telstra Foundation, the program begins embedding film and photography into activities, welcoming filmmaker Phillip Noyce as Ambassador.

  • Expanding Footprint: Weekly programs expand across Sydney to meet soaring demand.

2013 – 2014: International Expansion

Going Global: Football United expands its reach into Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

  • Football United Myanmar: Directed by Tun Aung Shwe and the Myanmar Red Cross, the program launches to international acclaim.

  • Royal Recognition: HRH Prince Ali bin Hussein visits the Auburn program.

  • Brazil 2014: A delegation of six youth represents the organisation at the FIFA Football for Hope Festival in Rio de Janeiro.

2015 – 2019: Building on a Decade of Impact

To scale impact, Football United collaborates with the Rugby Youth Foundation to transform Creating Chances into a social enterprise.

  1. A National Honour: Founder Anne Bunde-Birouste is named a NSW State Finalist for Australian of the Year.

  2. Festival 2016: The team celebrates ten years of impact at the global festival in Lyon, France.

  3. Regional Launch: The first regional program begins in Armidale, led by Aboriginal and Ezidi community coaches.

  4. Women’s Leadership: Launch of the Girls United toolkit and the Sportswomen for Change program, bringing female leaders from Arab countries to Australia for advocacy training.

2020 – 2026: A Unified Future

Despite global challenges, the focus remains

  1. Festival 23: During the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the organization hosts the "Women’s Football for Good" festival, hosting 70+ young women to align sport with UN Global Goals.

  2. One Team: Football United becomes a single entity with Creating Chances, strengthening their mission to drive social change across Australia and the Asia-Pacific.