A cricket club in Melbourne's east is hoping it can help to address depression among asylum seekers.
The All Nations Cricket Club offers the opportunity for new arrivals to make new connections through sport, and give players a chance to offer something in return.
As most clubs hang up the *pads for winter, the All Nations cricket team is just getting started.
Operating all year round, most of the team's players are in Australia currently seeking asylum.
Founder of the program Abdul Razzaq says each player has a tale of hardship, but united in cricket, they don't face it alone.
"We are here together in one unit. Whatever their culture, whatever their religion, we are in one unit, we are together like a family."
Abdul Razzaq started the team with Monash Health and Cricket Victoria in 2015.
An asylum seeker from Pakistan, Mr Razzaq wanted to create a space and an opportunity to socialise for new arrivals at risk of depression, as they waited for answers on asylum applications.
"All those asylum seekers who are like me, I know it's a big anxiety and stress if you don't have work rights or Medicare, and especially if you lose your income support."
He says the cricket club can be the only in-point to the wider Australian community for many of the players.
Cricket Victoria's multicultural participation coordinator, Hussain Hanif, says a sport like cricket is uniquely placed to help bridge a cultural gap for many asylum seekers in Australia.
"I think it is integration at the end of the day, creating those inclusive spaces where all of us can integrate and use sport as a vehicle."
The All Nations Cricket program runs throughout the winter, when social isolation and depression for asylum seekers can be at its worst.
Community development coordinator at Monash Health, Rob Koch, says while training and competition provides a bit of fun, it's much more than just a game for the participants.
"It's giving them the opportunity to do something they do know, they can play cricket. It's allowing them to shine when everything else seems to be dark."
Mr Koch says the All Nations Cricket club also helps to direct players into mainstream local clubs.
"Some of the fellows come in to our program and then get signed up for a local club and move through the ranks to get to even turf one."
In the summer, the group trains near the Dandenong train station to attract new members as they walk past.
Mr Razzaq says while the program is free, the benefits of participation can be priceless.
"Please come out. You can be the best in the community you can be a role model. So please come out and make a difference. Don't give up, give back."
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