Celebrating another great year of fostering participation in soccer while building life skills for new refugees and asylum seekers making a home in Bendigo through our successful Mini Roos Canteen Project.

The project saw 16 volunteers of Afghani, Karen and South Sudanese backgrounds help run the Mini Roos Canteen at junior soccer on a Saturday morning under the guidance of Bendigo Community Health Services volunteers Judy Stewart and Alonso.

Funds raised through the project are used to assist refugees in playing soccer.

“Playing sport can assist in the transition to life in Australia by enhancing social supports, enabling friendships, building language skills and facilitating cultural exchange,” Kaye said.

“The Mini Roos Canteen has provided volunteers with the opportunity to reduce their own playing fees or fees of other family members.

“The project provides volunteers with the opportunity to build their skills in the areas of teamwork, planning, customer service, food handling, English language development, numeracy and money handling.

“Ten volunteers also completed their Do Food Safely training through the program.”

If you would like to learn more about the Mini Roos Canteen Project email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Kaye Graves on (03) 5448 1600.