Photo: Members of the young women’s soccer team with Firas, Settlement Officer, AMRC; and Muthana Al-Boufradi, Chairman, Iraqi Sports Association of SA.

23 young women of Iraqi, Afghan and Syrian background are pursuing their dream to become soccer players. The soccer team commenced training in February 2019, learning essential skills under the guidance of Muthana Al-Boufradi, Chairman of the Iraqi Sports Association of SA. “We want to be like Matildas superstar Samantha Kerr.” The Friendly Sports Association of SA and the City of Salisbury have assisted the team to organise a training facility in Salisbury North. The Northern Area MRC has also supported the team to meet with the Football Federation South Australia (FFSA). “I was inspired by my brilliant brother, who won the SA Federation Cup for the under 14s twice. That’s when I decided to play soccer,” an Iraqi team member said.