The MCG has played host to the Bachar Houli Foundation’s first Junior Boys and Girls Academy programs for 2021, and their first face-to-face programs in Victoria since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The Bachar Houli Foundation’s Junior Boys Academy and Junior Girls Leadership programs are three-day camps where the focuses for participants encompass physical activity, health and well-being, identity and leadership.
In 2019, the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation become a founding partner to the Bachar Houli Foundation. The partnership allows for the Bachar Houli Foundation to reach more participants and provide further opportunities to ensure sport is accessible for all.
Last Tuesday, the junior boys were treated to a leadership session at the MCG, followed by an MCG Tour.
Their dreams were realised that afternoon, when they conducted a training session on the hallowed turf run by former St Kilda forward and current Bachar Houli Programs Manager, Ahmed Saad, as well as three-time Richmond Premiership champion, Bachar Houli himself.
The junior boys rounded off their visit to the MCG with an experience in the Australian Sports Museum, where the 2017, 2019 and 2020 Richmond AFL Premiership Cups are on display for the current Victorian school holidays.
The Junior Girls Leadership program followed a similar itinerary at the MCG including a tour, Museum visit and training on the arena.
They were also boosted by the announcement of the Victorian Government to commit $150,000 to support the Bachar Houli Foundation’s Girls Leadership Program.
The announcement, made at the MCG on Thursday by Minister for Youth, Community Sport and Multicultural, The Hon. Minister Ros Spence MP, will see the funding go to the program that aims to build confidence for Muslim women in sport, the workplace and society.
Minister Spence was joined at the announcement and morning tea by MCC Committee Vice President and MCC Foundation Chair, Sally Macindoe, and former Premier of Victoria, member of the MCC Committee and MCC Foundation Member, The Hon. Ted Baillieu AO, plus Richmond Football Club Chief Executive Brendon Gale and Bachar Houli Foundation directors, executives and partners.
On the Victorian Government’s announcement and the MCG hosting the Foundation’s programs, Bachar Houli said: “It’s a really special day for the girls of our program, and we’re very fortunate to be here at the MCG for the first day of the program for 2021.
“I’m really humbled by how much we have grown since the humble program that we began in 2011. The way that we’ve grown in the last years is testament to backing that we’ve had from all of our supporters.
“We’re so appreciative of the MCC Foundation to allow both our girls and boys to make use of this wonderful facility – the best facility in the world.
“Whenever we ask our Junior Boys and Girls, what is their favourite thing about the Academy, the response is that it is always the day that we get access to this football ground.
“Every time that I run out or even walk on the ground, I get shivers and feel the special moment that it is, so I thank the MCC for their partnership and for having us today and this week.”
The Bachar Houli Foundation is set to host their Senior Boys and Girls Academies at the MCG later in the year, as well as host the Jolson-Houli Unity Cup with Jewish community football club, AJAX in late September.
To find out more about the Bachar Houli Foundation, visit their website.
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