The new partnership between Settlement Services International and the Usman Khawaja Foundation aims to use cricket’s power to support children and young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
The SSI-UKF joint initiative kicked off on 22 April at Woodridge North State School in Queensland, where students were treated to a special cricket clinic led by Usman Khawaja alongside trained coaches. For many students who participated, it was their first introduction to the game.
This collaboration aims to use sport as a bridge to connection, well-being and community inclusion. Through a series of joint cricket clinics across Queensland, NSW and Victoria, young people will develop skills on and off the field, fostering resilience, physical and mental well-being and a sense of belonging.
“Both SSI and UKF are strongly aligned in their values of empowering youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds to fulfil their aspirations and help shape a more socially cohesive Australia,” SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said. “Sport has always been a powerful way to bring people together. Initiatives like this transform lives by creating pathways for children to connect, grow and thrive.”
Meanwhile, as a cricketer himself, Khawaja knows firsthand the power of sport to unite and inspire. He arrived in Australia from Pakistan at the age of four and became the first player of Pakistani descent to represent the country in cricket.
“Cricket has long been an iconic Australian sport and an integral part of our culture,” Khawaja said. “Education and community sport play an important role in helping young people from migrant backgrounds engage and connect with Australian life and feel a true sense of belonging. Cricket is not just a game — it’s a bridge to new beginnings.”
The new partnership will also extend beyond the pitch. Over time, it will also include youth mentoring programs, community events like multicultural cups and an innovation hub where young people from refugee backgrounds can co-design solutions to the unique challenges their communities are facing.
“The values and dedication shown by the [UKF] perfectly align with our vision of a unified, thriving Australia where every newcomer feels at home,” Roumeliotis noted.
The program builds on the successful work of the Logan-based SSI Multicultural Sports Club, which provides accessible sporting opportunities for diverse communities and promotes inclusion through structured physical activity.
“I’m thrilled to be part of a partnership that not only inspires children to play cricket but gives them confidence, resilience and hope for the future,” Khawaja added.
With SSI’s community-based programs and UKF’s leadership in sport-led inclusion combined, the partnership sets the stage for a new era of youth empowerment and cultural connection, one cricket clinic at a time.
Read also: Brisbane Lions footballer Hugh McCluggage launches arts and sports programs for children
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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