Overlooking Sydney Harbour from the Gilbert + Tobin offices at Barangaroo, twenty years of memories, community, and purpose came together under one roof.
Alumni, coaches, partners, educators, and supporters gathered to mark a monumental milestone: the 20th anniversary of Football United. From its humble origins in Western Sydney in 2006 to international stages with FIFA, Common Goal, and the Women’s World Cup, the evening honored the journey of an initiative that has used football to build belonging, ignite leadership, and reshape lives.
MC Assmaah Helal and Creating Chances long time supporter and Ex Maltilda Moya Dodd officially opened the night before handing over to founder Dr. Anne Bunde-Birouste to reflect on the early days. Surrounded by a retrospective of archival jerseys, from original 2006 kits to Festival 23 designs, Anne recalled the spark that ignited the entire movement:
"So many memories. Mostly it’s the people, but I think I would say when we launched Football United... and I saw dozens and dozens of little kids of all types of backgrounds coming with their balls and big eyes, wanting to play football. And I think that that’s probably the favourite, because that got it all started."
What started as the Refugee Youth Soccer Program quickly grew across Western Sydney. Key early partners, including John Boultbee (former Head of High Performance at FA), reflected on how those first programs blossomed into regular fixtures, including sending a youth squad to the 2010 FIFA Football for Hope Festival in South Africa alongside the Socceroos:
"What sticks out is when they came to South Africa for the first international tournament they went in... We were there with the Socceroos, and it was early in the days, but it was such a fantastic step for Anne and the crowd. It was wonderful."
Throughout the room, a recurring theme echoed across every era: the sheer joy of school Gala Days and local community programs. For participants who arrived in Australia from abroad, Football United pitches were often the very first places they felt truly welcomed. Former participant Elizabeth shared a vivid memory from her school days around 2009 – 2010:
"I was just thinking about my first Gala Day. I think I was in Year 8, around 2009 or 2010... It was just so amazing to have all the schools come together, it was like a girls' little mini tournament. For me, being newly arrived in Australia around that time, that was the first time that I felt like I was part of something big, and something really important... That was the first time that I felt like I had some power."
Long standing Alumnus Paul Saulog recounted one of the legendary Western Sydney school rivalries on the pitch.
"I have to go back to Marvin —and I remember his last name too, because that’s how memorable it was! There were penalty shootouts, a Miller-Lurnea classic rivalry of the ages. There was a kick in the top-right corner, Marvin—no doubt whatsoever—the glove touches it, nicks it away! The crowd goes wild... trampled, no bones broken, but ultimate celebration. Just to see the joy of the young people, and them all come together."
Over 20 years, the pitch expanded far beyond Western Sydney. Milestone presenters walked attendees through two decades of growth: from university partnerships and the founding of umbrella organisation Creating Chances in 2014, to regional NSW expansions in Armidale, and international development programs in Myanmar.
What began with casual football sessions in local parks has evolved into comprehensive education, employment, and gender-equity initiatives. Former participants are now stepping up as Head Facilitators, including leaders like Shegofa Hassani, an alumna of Lurnea IEC who steered the Arezo Women’s Sports Leadership Program and continues to inspire current students.
Twenty years on, the lesson remains as true as it was on day one: give young people a ball, a safe space, and a community that believes in them, and there is no limit to what they can achieve.
