The collaboration between the Eddie Betts Foundation and Bachar Houli Foundation represents a shared commitment to leverage football as a vehicle to drive social cohesion and community harmony and celebrate cultural diversity in Australia.
Betts, a three-time All-Australian and four-time Goal of the Year recipient, and Houli, an All-Australian and three-time premiership player are celebrated and much-loved football figures.
Both men have emerged as leaders within their respective communities’ post-football, with their Foundations leading the way in empowering youth through sports and educational programs.
Founded in 2023, the Eddie Betts Foundation exists to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, promote positive perceptions through educational initiatives and promote equity through sports, similar to the Bachar Houli Foundation, 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 Bachar Houli Foundation’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 Eddie Betts Foundation’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.
Betts said that the upcoming game against the Bachar Houli Foundation “is all about celebrating diversity through sport.”
“It’s a chance for the EBF academy youth to learn about different cultures and perspectives, while also showcasing their teamwork, skills and passion for the game.”
“It is a fantastic initiative during Grand Final week to allow both of our academies to come together – most of our young people are from remote or rural communities and to be in Melbourne on Grand Final week, with such a buzz around the city, is so exciting for them,” Betts, the three-time All-Australian said.
Houli stated that the “main objective of our academy is to develop these young men into proud Australian Muslims.”
The three-time premiership Tiger is excited by the chance to combine football and community.
“This concept is extremely exciting…to work together with Eddie and his Foundation… (who are) like-minded and focused on empowering young people through sport,” Houli said.
“Our participants will stay together for a week, and they’ll train, eat and pray together, so no doubt they’ll be excited for the game that happens to take place during Grand Final week.”
The Eddie Betts Foundation’s AFL academy is set to face the Bachar Houli Foundation’s National Senior Boys Academy on Friday, September 27 at Punt Road Oval from 5:00pm, with free entry available to the public from 4:30pm.