SSI and Usman Khawaja Foundation Launch Groundbreaking Cricket Partnership to Empower Multicultural Youth

Settlement Services International (SSI) and the Usman Khawaja Foundation (UKF) have joined forces to launch a dynamic new partnership using the power of cricket to support children and young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

The initiative kicked off on 22 April 2025 at Woodridge North State School in Queensland, where students were treated to a special cricket clinic led by Usman Khawaja himself, alongside trained coaches. The school oval was awash in green and gold as students practiced batting, bowling and fielding — for many, their first introduction to the game.

This innovative collaboration aims to use sport as a bridge to connection, wellbeing and community inclusion. Through a series of joint cricket clinics across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, young people will develop skills both on and off the field — fostering resilience, physical and mental wellbeing, and a sense of belonging.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to inclusion and opportunity.

“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,” Ms 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.”

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja knows first-hand the power of sport to unite and inspire. Having arrived in Australia from Pakistan at the age of four, he became the first player of Pakistani descent to represent Australia in cricket.

“Cricket has long been an iconic Australian sport and an integral part of our culture,” Mr 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 expand to include youth mentoring programs, community events such as Multicultural Cups, and an innovation hub where young people from refugee backgrounds can co-design solutions to the unique challenges faced by their communities.

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.

Ms Roumeliotis said: “The values and dedication shown by the Usman Khawaja Foundation perfectly align with our vision of a unified, thriving Australia where every newcomer feels at home.”

Mr Khawaja added: “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.”

By combining SSI’s community-based programs with UKF’s leadership in sport-led inclusion, the partnership sets the stage for a new era of youth empowerment and cultural connection — one cricket clinic at a time.