For a group of newly arrived Australians, a night at Hindmarsh Stadium became much more than a football match.
Clients from AMES Australia’s Humanitarian Settlement Program were welcomed to Hindmarsh for Adelaide United’s AFC Champions League Elite Preliminary Round clash against CAHN FC, with transport and match entry made possible through Adelaide United and club partner Des’s Minibus.
For many of the group, the experience marked a series of firsts. Some had only recently arrived in Australia, while others had never visited a major sporting venue or attended a live football match before.
AMES Australia supports newly arrived refugees, humanitarian entrants and migrants as they settle into life in Australia, providing services that help people find employment, learn English, access education and build connections within their communities.
Football has a unique ability to contribute to that sense of connection. While the game may be played in different languages and celebrated in different ways around the world, the shared experience of supporting a team can bring people together regardless of where they come from.
One client captured the significance of the evening perfectly:
“This is my first time at a real live football game. This place looks amazing. Thank you for bringing us here.”
Through our ongoing partnership with AMES Australia, Adelaide United is proud to support opportunities that help create connection, inclusion and belonging for people building a new life in South Australia.
