The Betts X Houli Cup represents a shared commitment between the Eddie Betts Foundation (EBF) and Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF) to leverage football as a vehicle to drive social cohesion and community harmony and celebrate cultural diversity in Australia.
Founded in 2023, the EBF exists to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, promote positive perceptions through educational initiatives and promote equity through sports, similar to the BHF, founded in 2012, which exists to empower young Muslims through programs and initiatives centred around its four key pillars: education, employment, engagement and talent.
The BHF’s National Senior Boys Academy provides high-performance training, places a strong emphasis on developing leadership and aims to strengthen the Islamic identity of its 15 to 18-year-old participants.
Similarly, the EBF’s Football Academy prioritises personal development, leadership, education, and cultural pride alongside football talent and training for its participants.
Led by experienced staff and mentors, both academies set out to make talent pathways accessible for Muslim and Aboriginal youth, respectively.
The Eddie Betts Foundation’s AFL academy is set to face the Bachar Houli Foundation’s National Senior Boys Academy on Friday, September 26 at La Trobe Sports Park in Bundoora from 3:15pm, with free entry available to the public.
Earlier this week, the BHF’s National Senior Boys Academy notched up a strong win against the Western Jets at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
The BHF’s participants produced a comprehensive display built on silky ball movement, powerful contested work and moments of individual brilliance against a Coates Talent League side, with an impressive eight-goal final term rounding out an 126-point victory in Craigieburn.
BHF: 4.6 11.9 15.21 23.22 (160)
Western Jets: 1.1 2.1 4.1 5.4 (34)
BHF First-Year Participants: Ali Merhi, Koda Hawli, Ali Kassab, Isa Merhi, Riaz Mohammad (WA), Noah Taleb, Rhama Evans (WA), Muhammad Darwich (NSW), Blake Justice (injured), Adam Muhedin (injured)
