Football United is an Australian-based organisation which draws on the magic of the beautiful game to bring people together for the common goal of creating harmonious and cohesive societies.
The group were just one of a number of organisations that made up the Australian delegation which attended PYASC in New Caledonia in December. The Football United team is made up of six players, three boys and three girls; Shegofa Hassani, Aurin Jones, Amer Yawar, Marco Trujillo, Farous Nghath and Ljiljana Jojic, with support coming from staff members Tun Aung Shwe, Assmaah Helal and Stuart Meney.
The six teammates were chosen from a much wider group of participants at Football United programmes across West and South West Sydney and mirror Australia’s diversity as a country. It is the second time Football United has been chosen by FIFA to represent Australia at this event.
“Of course this is a lifetime opportunity,” Football United CEO Anne Bunde-Birouste said.
“It is an almost impossible task to select so few representatives from the thousands of inspiring youth we work with every week, but we are confident that the team selected will share their experience by continuing to engage with Football United when they get back, thus helping others pursue their dreams, whatever they may be.”
The Football for Hope Festival is being held in the community of Caju in Rio de Janeiro and gathers 192 youngsters representing organisations from 27 different nations. Together they represent as many diverse cultures as the problems they seek to address, and in doing so they all draw on the power of football in their efforts to make development a reality.
The event was officially opened on 7 July by two-time FIFA World Cup™ winner and joint-top scorer in the tournament’s history Ronaldo.
“It’s great to be here in the community of Caju, celebrating the power of football through Football for Hope,” Il Fenomeno said.
“Football really changed my life, it was very important for me as a child. I didn’t have a lot of time for formal education but the school of football taught me a lot. I’d like you all to make the most of this great opportunity. I wish the best of luck to all the participants in the festival.”
Following the Brazilian star in addressing the crowd, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter shared the importance of Caju as a World Cup venue.
“It is said that the FIFA World Cup 2014 is played in 12 different venues. This is not true. Here we are in Caju and this is stadium number 13 of this World Cup. Football connects people and football gives you the opportunity to be together,” Blatter said.
“What’s exceptional is that in this game played at the Festival, there are no referees, it’s the essence of football.”
Also watching as the latest edition’s matches got underway was one of the first women to join the FIFA Executive Committee as a co-opted member, Moya Dodd, who is also a good friend to the Football United programme and a supporter of the work it carries out in her native Australia.
“It’s fantastic to see that every team here is accessible to both boys and girls and see how they can learn from each other and play football in the spirit of fair play,” Dodd said.
“It’s a fantastic tournament. Men’s football is so big and so established in so many countries that finding a place for women’s football to thrive and grow can always be a challenge, but big tournaments like the World Cup are an opportunity to cross-promote.
“Here at Football for Hope you see mixed gender football taking place. It’s great to see that the women’s game is represented here and is part of the party.”
The Football for Hope Festival is held during the final two weeks of the FIFA World Cup™ and sees the 27 different teams competing in a World Cup tournament of their own.
Delegates will also learn more about social issues affecting nations around the world and the ability to use football as a valuable force for change, even in highly developed nations.

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