Australia's newest residents are being encouraged to get involved in sports with the launch of the Australian Red Cross's Everybody Belongs program.
The program is designed to give recently arrived migrants and asylum seekers an indication of the power sport has to bring people together.
About 60 new migrants took part in the first stage of the campaign in Sydney's west, and had to chance to meet Sydney Swans AFL player Aliir Aliir.
Aliir was able to use his personal experience of being born in a Kenyan refugee camp to inspire others.
Sydney Swans Player and multicultural ambassador Aliir Aliir. Source: SBS News
"Hopefully they get into it," he told SBS News.
"We're not saying 'Come and try and be a professional' - just come along and have fun."
Aliir is the first player of Sudanese descent to be drafted by an AFL club, and he said sport helped him to settle into life in Australia.
Asad Ullah came to Australia from Pakistan on a student visa two years ago, and said the chance to meet an AFL rising star was exciting.
"It’s a dream for me to come here and play with him," he told SBS News.
Red Cross NSW Executive Director Jody Broun she said was thankful for the support of Cricket NSW, the NRL and AFL, who have all backed the program.
Two of Australia's newest residents take part in the Everybody Belongs program. Source: SBS News
She said the thought of even more sports joining the initiative next year was exciting.
"I think the more the merrier, sport is how communities come together and it’s great to see people play and participate," she said.
Former NRL star Joe Gulavao said he firmly believes new migrants and asylum seekers would benefit from the program.
"Sport is the fabric of Australian culture and what better language to use than sport to integrate and empower,” he said.
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