FOOTBALL FOR HEALTH & WELL-BEING
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
To provide opportunities to girls and boys especially those from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds across Melbourne:
One Ball believes that when a community works together on a shared purpose, greater outcomes can be achieved.
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.
The soccer-based activities, exercises and games are designed to improve the participants’ fitness and skills, develop their confidence, help them make new friends and foster their sense of belonging.
One Ball strives to support, empower and encourage young people to develop co-operation, self-control, self-discipline, perseverance, respect, integrity and fair play through playing soccer with others and through the mentoring they receive from their coaches.
One Ball also aims to develop positive, cross-cultural relationships by integrating and uniting young people through fun sporting activities – no matter their religion, culture or gender.
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.
Kamal’s new life began in Port Melbourne, where he joined the local Port Melbourne Soccer Club. The club provided him with a generous opportunity – they paid for his membership registration, supplied him with his uniform, and most importantly, made him feel welcome and that he belonged.
In Kamal’s own words:
“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.”
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 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.
Nelson Mandela
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!
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.
With your support, we believe our collaboration will provide a platform to increase the positive community perception and credibility of your business.
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
In 2003 at the age of 11, Kamal Ibrahim left all he knew in Ethiopia, his birthplace, with his mother and his six siblings to
What an end to a successful year at the One ball program. It has been an absolute pleasure working with all the children and parents
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.
