One Ball vision in Ethiopia
From Melbourne to Ethiopia We’re so excited to have had the opportunity to share the One Ball vision with our friends at Nisir Adama Football
March 5, 2021
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OUR PROGRAMS
Port Melbourne
Sunday 4pm – 5:15pm
Murphy Reserve
Maidstone
coming soon
Cranbourne
Friday 4 pm – 5 pm
Cranbourne Secondary college
One Ball partners with Football Victoria to facilitate the empowering lives through football initiative.
Our Mission Statement
To improve health well-being and social cohesion through a high-quality soccer best program that unites and engage children and young people, particularly from culturally and linguistically diverse background, through safe fun, culturally appropriate and inclusive environment.
Our Vision
To provide opportunities to girls and boys especially those from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds across Melbourne:
To be fit and active, and to enhance both their physical and psychological health and wellbeing
To develop positive cross-cultural relationships with others, and to feel more connected and empowered to make a positive contribution to our community.
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”
Nelson Mandela
ABOUT ONE BALL
One Ball is a community program designed for children and young adults aged between (5-17 years of age). The program provides opportunities to all people especially those from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds across Melbourne to play soccer in a social setting.
One Ball
is proud to partner with Football Victoria and the Victorian Government in delivering the Empowering Lives Through Football project.
One Ball is a community soccer and wellbeing program based in the City of Port Phillip. Led by former Young Socceroo and professional footballer, Kamal Ibrahim, One Ball provides opportunities for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds across Melbourne to learn positive life skills through playing soccer in a social setting.
The One Ball philosophy was inspired by Kamal’s experiences as he found support, empowerment and encouragement through football during his youth.
“Through football (soccer) I learnt skills; skills that helped me on and off the field. I looked forward to my games each week, my team was my ‘family’, I had a sense of acceptance and a way of communicating without having to speak, I learnt how to work as a team, improve myself as an individual, I was supported in a fun and safe environment.
Football has given me opportunities that I never expected. Football gave me the opportunity to represent Australia and Victoria on a national level and I was given the opportunity to travel the world. It gave me that sense of encouragement to do more with my life and that with hard work anything can be achieved.” read more
OUR FOUNDER
Kamal Ibrahim migrated from Ethiopia with his family in 2003 at the age of 12 to escape civil war and conflict.
At that time, he spoke no English and found it difficult settling into life in Australia. He turned to his passion – soccer – as a way of communicating and connecting into his new community.
Football has given me opportunities that I never expected. Football gave me the opportunity to represent Australia and Victoria on a national level and I was given the opportunity to travel the world. It gave me that sense of encouragement to do more with my life and that with hard work anything can be achieved.”
Kamal is still a resident in Port Melbourne and continues to play with the Port Melbourne ‘Sharks’ Soccer Club NPL (National Premier League) team.
He has been honoured in the Port Melbourne Soccer Club Hall of Champions due to his achievements which include:
Representing Australia with the Young Socceroos on from 2007 – 2010
Playing A-League with Melbourne Heart (now known as Melbourne City) in 2010-2012
Playing in the NPL for the Senior Men’s Port Melbourne Sharks Soccer Club team from 2013 – present, winning the National Premiers League 2015 Victoria Gold Medal – the NPL’s Best and Fairest award.
The origin
of the name
"One Ball"
The name of the organisation originated from the concept that when Kamal was a young boy growing up in Ethiopia he didn’t have much – no designated playing field, no boots, no uniform and no coaches.
The neighbourhood only had one ball to share amongst all the kinds and Kamal experienced first-hand that all you really need is literally “one ball” to bring everyone together.
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Make A Donation
Your gift will help equip our young players with necessary resources, training and education. You can make a difference today by giving towards a brighter future!
Become A Volunteer
You can get involved today by becoming a volunteer. Get in touch and you will be joining a group of change-makers, a network strong enough to impact positive change in the lives of children.
Sponsor Our Cause
With your support, we believe our collaboration will provide a platform to increase the positive community perception and credibility of your business.
Latest News
Lela McGregor
One Ball would like to acknowledge and thank Lela McGregor for her incredible contribution to one ball over the last 18 months. Over this period,
January 31, 2021
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Special visit from our friends at Victoria Police during last Sunday’s session!
We had a very special visit from our friends at Victoria Police during last Sunday’s session! It was a fantastic opportunity for the children
January 22, 2021
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And that’s a wrap for 2020 🎉
Although we didn’t have a completely normal year, we are so glad we were able to get together again and spend it with you all.
January 15, 2021
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Our Awesome Partners
We work closely with our sponsors and partners to develop mutually-beneficial fundraising campaigns, co-branded sporting kits, media and experiences that have an incredible impact on our local communities.
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