Bachar Houli Junior Girls Leadership Program

The Bachar Houli Girls Leadership program is a three-day camp aimed at Muslim girls aged between 12 and 14 years. The academy focuses on physical activity, health and well-being, identity and leadership. The academy aims to build confidence for Muslim women in sport, in the workplace and in society. The academy also aims to promote community role models and provide a sense of belonging.

“The Bachar Houli Girls Leadership program was a fun and beneficial academy, where I learned to play football, and had the chance to meet a bunch of great people. I’ll never forget it.” Rayyan – Bachar Houli Girls Leadership Program participant 2018

 “The Bachar Houli Girls Leadership Program was an interactive, fun and informative program. It’s more than just football. A practical experience enhancing my physical and mental strengths.” Aiesha – Bachar Houli Girls Leadership Program participant 2018

Bachar Houli Senior Girls Leadership Program

The Bachar Houli Senior Girls Leadership Academy is a residential camp for Muslim girls aged between 15-17, similar to the Bachar Houli Girls Junior Leadership Academy, this academy focuses on increasing physical activity in a cultural designed environment to promote health and well-being, identity and leadership. The camp aims to continue to build confidence for Muslim women in sport, in the workplace and in society. The framework for the academy has been developed by subject matter experts providing an industry-leading standard curriculum and delivered by experienced coaches. The academy also includes two leadership days throughout the year to recap on the program principals.

Bachar Houli Foundation Employment Program

The Bachar Houli Foundation Employment Program is designed to help promote employment among the Muslim youth across Australia and provide professional development opportunities, mentors and networks to enhance opportunities for young Muslim people who are marginalised in the Australian workforce. The program is intended to give Muslim young people career opportunities in sport by providing twelve month traineeships across the sports industry. Each trainee is also supported by a mentoring program and employment transition plan.

Since its inception, the program has seen over 30 trainees work across the AFL industry including traineeships at the AFL, AFL NSW & ACT, AFLQ, WAFC, Carlton FC, Western Bulldogs, GWS Giants and Richmond football clubs. The employment program has been successful in transitioning 80 per cent of the trainees to full-time employment.

The A-Game

The A-Game is a youth leadership and mentoring program using sporting as a vehicle to engage youth at risk from an Islamic background. The program is designed and facilitated by qualified Bachar Houli Foundation staff and supported by AFL stars Bachar Houli and Adam Saad who are engaged as program mentors and coaches

The six-week program focuses on three key pillars; physical health, leadership and identity with practical and engaging modules to support young people to be the best versions of themselves. The six-week program also includes one on one mentoring by Bachar Houli and Adam Saad using their experiences of discipline and resilience.

Further to this, the program provides participants with wraparound services from mental health services, personal coaching, employment opportunities and community connection.

Jolson/Houli Unity Cup

The Jolson/Houli Unity Cup is an under-18 match that features players from the Bachar Houli Senior Boys Academy taking on AJAX, the Jewish community’s football club.

This game was first made possible through the MCC Foundation’s partnership with the Bachar Houli Foundation and is the brainchild of Tanya Oziel, a footy mum from Sydney who conceived the Peace Team, comprised of Israelis and Palestinians, to play in the 2008 and 2011 AFL International Cups.

Speaking about the match, BHF Founder Bachar Houli expressed his delight at how far the Foundation has come, as well as the increase in diversity in football.

“As the founder, I am thrilled to see how far our programs and academies have come over the past few years and we are looking forward to continuing to promote unity through sport,” Houli said.