The enhanced partnership will see the MCC Foundation become a presenting partner of the Bachar Houli Foundation through to 2025, helping the Foundation provide more development opportunities for young Muslims through sport.
The MCC Foundation has supported the Bachar Houli Foundation since 2019, and in that time thousands of young Muslim men and women have been able to visit the MCG – training on the arena and exploring the stadium and the Australian Sports Museum – as part of their football and leadership programs.
Some key achievements from the partnership to date have included:
- Welcoming the Bachar Houli Girls Leadership program to the MCG for multiple training and education sessions.
- Hosting the annual Bachar Houli Foundation Iftar Dinner in the Members Dining Room at the MCG.
- Working closely with the Bachar Houli Foundation to develop the new Multifaith Prayer Room at the MCG (opened in March 2022).
- Hosting the Jolson-Houli Unity Cup on the hallowed MCG turf the day after AFL Grand Final in 2019 and 2022.
Bachar Houli said he was thrilled to continue the valued partnership with the MCC Foundation.
“To the have the MCC on board again, for an extended time and an enhanced contribution is something we will cherish,” he said.
“With this support we are able to extend our programs, becoming bigger and therefore supporting more young Muslim people, helping them grow as leaders and as individuals through the power of sport.”
“For an organisation such as the MCC Foundation to be a part of this long term makes us feel incredibly proud that we are doing something right and making a meaningful difference in society,” he added.
Chair of the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation, Sally Macindoe, said the MCC Foundation was excited to extend its support of the Bachar Houli Foundation, with the partnership aligning strongly to the MCC’s community pillars.
“Over the past three years we have seen the Bachar Houli Foundation go from strength to strength, delivering incredible programs for young Muslims and we are delighted to support its ongoing success,” Ms Macindoe said.
“It’s a testament to the success of the partnership we have enjoyed to date – it has met and exceeded our expectations and connects strongly with our goals of increasing participation in sport, enhancing access to the MCG and fundamentally ensuring sport is accessible for all.”
“We look forward to the next phase of our partnership with the Bachar Houli Foundation, as we work to realise our shared objectives and continue to come together at the ‘G in celebration of sport and all the positives it can bring to our lives.”