You’re building community across cultures

Part of Australia’s beauty is found in its diversity. But diversity without a shared sense of community can lead to sharp divisions. Through your generous support and a grant…

Part of Australia’s beauty is found in its diversity. But diversity without a shared sense of community can lead to sharp divisions.

Through your generous support and a grant from Department of Home Affairs, SU Camps have launched the its first CHAT Super Sports Camp. These events bring campers together, helping them better understand and engage with different cultures and beliefs.

17-year-old lta, who comes from a Samoan background, first heard about the camp through her local church pastor.

“I went along with some people from my church,” lta says.

“My favourite sport was basketball – it was competitive and really fun.

“Even though I didn’t have any school friends with me on camp – I made new friends from different backgrounds and cultures.”

As much as she enjoyed the sport, lta says her favourite part of camp was the group chats after sport ended each day.

“Someone new would get up and speak about how they came to Australia and what it was like in their home country,” lta says.

“I really engaged with it – just hearing what they went through and how life was different for them.

“It changed my perspective. Their lives were so much harder and tougher than what I’ve been through here – a lot of them experienced racism.”

Camp Director Troy Wilson felt inspired and encouraged after seeing cultural barriers break down over the five-day camp.

“The goal is to get kids from different cultural backgrounds to come together, have fun and learn about one another in a safe space,” Troy says.

“Sport is the perfect medium for this. We had some kids who couldn’t speak English really well, but once you got them on a court or a playing field they understood how to work together to score a goal or get a ball over a net.”

The camp had a positive impact on lta. She said she’ll definitely come along to the next CHAT Camp.

“It’s a really memorable experience and heaps of fun too. It taught me that no matter what religion, culture or belief we have, we are still the same in that our humanity makes us ‘one’ – and regardless of our differences and difficulties culturally, we can overcome them all,” lta says.

Your support makes camps like this possible. We couldn’t do it without you. To find out how you can get behind camps like this one, head to suqld.org.au/camps or email camps@suqld.org.au

Posted: 5/03/2020

You’re connecting cultures through sport

For the Sudanese community in South East Queensland, sport and faith are playing an important role in bridging the gap between cultures. Senior Pastor at Hope Pointe Church, Debbie…

For the Sudanese community in South East Queensland, sport and faith are playing an important role in bridging the gap between cultures.

Senior Pastor at Hope Pointe Church, Debbie Garth, works closely with the Sudanese community in Caboolture, so when an opportunity arose to partner with SU QLD and run a sports camp, she jumped at the chance. (more…)

Posted: 11/04/2019

YOU’RE SETTING UP COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Sport is a great way to connect faith communities with local communities – an incredible opportunity made possible thanks to your support!

Sport is a great way to connect faith communities with local communities – an incredible opportunity made possible thanks to your support!

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Posted: 8/04/2019

You connected two islands through love of sport

Thanks to your support for SU QLD’s Sports Ministry and an invitation from two local schools, sport has helped bridge the gap between students from two island communities.  An 18-minute…

Thanks to your support for SU QLD’s Sports Ministry and an invitation from two local schools, sport has helped bridge the gap between students from two island communities. 

An 18-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Russell and Macleay islands feel surprisingly isolated from the South East Queensland mainland.

Due to expensive transport costs and a lack of services to the islands, the two school communities haven’t had regular opportunities to engage with people from the mainland, or take part in inter-school sports.

Macleay Island school principal Glenda Seawright says it’s vital for both schools’ Year 6 students to socialise outside their immediate community as they prepare to make the daily boat trip to the mainland’s high school when they start Year 7.

“The coming together of the two school communities is cost effective because the children can move for free around the islands, and it gives them a broader social group,” Glenda says.

“The more they can socialise outside of Macleay Island, the better prepared they’ll be for the transition to a bigger learning environment at high school.”

Glenda has received so much positive feedback from students and teachers alike, they’ve already locked in more SU Sports Days for the year.

The SU QLD team ran multiple sports across the two days, including soccer, basketball, netball, and other teamwork-based activities.

SU QLD’s Sports Ministry Coordinator, Jeff Howard, says the visit was about more than just kicking goals.

“Sport brings people together – and in this case it’s bringing young people from Macleay and Russell islands into closer community,” Jeff says.

“We were told at the start of the first day that some of the students had behavioural issues and might have trouble focusing, but once the sport started, every student was  hooked.

“Sport’s ability to communicate fun, acceptance, and mateship is truly incredible.”

For 11-year-old Josh Mohr, who was awarded with a rugby ball for his sportsmanship throughout the day, the reason he loves sport is simple.

“I just love running around. It was heaps of fun and I’d like to thank Jeff for coming over and running the day for us,” Josh says. You can help support Jeff and the Sports Ministry team by emailing jeffh@suqld.org.au or phone 0449 928 405.

Posted: 17/01/2019

Not by might or power

Some boys grow up believing a lie; that to be a man you have to show you’re tough – not to be messed with. They believe their reputation for…

Some boys grow up believing a lie; that to be a man you have to show you’re tough – not to be messed with.

They believe their reputation for this type of ‘toughness’ is the only way. Ultimately, it’s a way of thinking that can lead them on a path of self-destruction.

Thankfully there is another way…

(more…)

Posted: 28/11/2018

Your support put these children in a league of their own

When our children watch their rugby league heroes in action on the footy field, they don’t always see the best examples of how to conduct themselves. Thanks to your…

When our children watch their rugby league heroes in action on the footy field, they don’t always see the best examples of how to conduct themselves.

Thanks to your support, one group of students at Eagleby State School are setting a great example for our highly paid superstars as part of a special rugby league program set up by their school chaplain, Nick Carroll.

“When I started as a school chaplain in 2012, I did all the pastoral care, but found it too reactive,” Chappy Nick recalls.

(more…)

Posted: 20/08/2018

Are you up for the SU QLD Games challenge?

With only a few weeks left until the first SU QLD Games, it’s time to get excited! In just over two years, your support for SU QLD’s Sports Ministry has helped…

With only a few weeks left until the first SU QLD Games, it’s time to get excited!

In just over two years, your support for SU QLD’s Sports Ministry has helped unite communities and bring families and work colleagues together, while encouraging young and old alike to engage in competitive sports in a God-honouring way.

Until now, this has been achieved through the half-day Community Cup events, all of which have been completely booked out.  BUT this year, the team are stepping things up with the first SU QLD Games, which will kick off on 30 June at Nudgee College.

(more…)

Posted: 4/06/2018

Your support equals net gain for community

For every whistle blown, every fluoro bib donned, and every goal netted at the recent SU QLD Indoor Netball Community Cup, we have you to thank!

For every whistle blown, every fluoro bib donned, and every goal netted at the recent SU QLD Indoor Netball Community Cup, we have you to thank!

(more…)

Posted: 9/10/2017

Giving children a sporting chance

The half-time siren has sounded on a successful start to the year for SU QLD’s burgeoning Sports Ministry. As the team gears up for an exciting second half, let’s catch…

The half-time siren has sounded on a successful start to the year for SU QLD’s burgeoning Sports Ministry.

As the team gears up for an exciting second half, let’s catch up on some of the early highlights with SU QLD Sports Ministry Coordinator, Jeff Howard. (more…)

Posted: 10/07/2017

A year of plenty for sport lovers

Building on last year’s successful foray into launching an SU QLD Sports’ Ministry, 2017 is set to be even better! With 4 Community Cup events, the ‘Pray, Play, Say’ training…

Building on last year’s successful foray into launching an SU QLD Sports’ Ministry, 2017 is set to be even better!

With 4 Community Cup events, the ‘Pray, Play, Say’ training in full swing, the Sports Ministry Network growing at an incredible rate, and upcoming Sport Day Camps for primary school aged children, 2017 will be bursting at the seams with sensational pursuits for sporting enthusiasts.
(more…)

Posted: 24/01/2017

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Our mission is to equip, empower and nurture family households and church families across Australia.

Family Space seeks to support children, teenagers, parents and churches through practical resources, activities and expert advice.

We’re all about nurturing healthy families and creating healthy communities.

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