Participation in sport is an important way to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of young people. However, research by The University of Melbourne shows that young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds are missing out on the benefits of sport.

The University of Melbourne Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health’s Count Me In research project, funded by VicHealth, showed that the cost of participation, lack of transport and competing priorities connected with settling in a new country are major barriers to these young people taking part in physical activity.

These barriers are compounded by a lack of knowledge amongst migrant and refugee communities about how local sports systems operate, a low number of welcoming programs, and the need for clubs to cater for specific cultural requirements, such as through providing Halal food or female-only programs.

With the aim of finding the best ways to overcome these barriers, The University of Melbourne trialled the employment of bilingual Community Support Coordinators (CSCs) in partnership with local sports clubs, Merri Health, Hume City Council and Moreland City Council.