One Ball Incorporated is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering children and young people through soccer-based community programs. Founded in 2018 by Kamal Ibrahim, a former professional footballer and migrant from Ethiopia, the organisation is based in Melbourne and serves youth aged five to seventeen, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds[1][3][4][5].

History and Founding

Kamal Ibrahim founded One Ball Incorporated after his own experience as a migrant to Australia in 2003. Having faced language barriers and social challenges, he used soccer as a means to connect with his new community. The organisation’s name reflects his childhood in Ethiopia, where he and other children shared a single ball as their primary resource to play and unite. This experience inspired the ethos of One Ball: that all you need to bring people together is "one ball"[1].

Mission and Objectives

One Ball’s mission is to build confident, healthy, and resilient young people through sport. It provides inclusive football programs designed to improve soccer skills, fitness, and social connections. Through participation, the organisation aims to foster valuable life skills such as cooperation, self-discipline, respect, integrity, perseverance, and fair play. It emphasizes creating positive, cross-cultural relationships among youth regardless of their religion, culture, or gender[1][4].

Programs and Activities

The core activity involves soccer-based exercises, games, and mentoring, all tailored to engage youth in a social and supportive environment. The programs particularly focus on children from CALD backgrounds within Melbourne, promoting integration and a sense of belonging through sport. Coaches not only teach soccer skills but also provide guidance and role modeling to nurture emotional and social development[1][4].

Values

One Ball Incorporated operates under a strong ethical framework with the following core values:

• Keeping an Eye on the Ball: Acting professionally and with integrity.
• The Ball is in our Court: Encouraging accountability.
• On The Ball: Ensuring transparency and compliance.
• Side Before Self: Acting respectfully and considering others.
• Teamwork makes the Dream Work: Collaborating with professionals and social services.
• One Game: Valuing equity and inclusion across all programs[4].

Community Impact

By providing accessible sport programs, One Ball plays a significant role in empowering young people to overcome social barriers and build life skills. It also helps improve community perceptions and supports the positive development of youth from marginalized groups in Melbourne[1][5].

This nonprofit organisation is registered under Australian Business Number (ABN) 70455159503RR0001 and continues to rely on volunteers, donations, and sponsorships to support its programs aimed at fostering youth empowerment through soccer.

[1] https://oneball.org.au [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/0f4b5303-40a2-ea11-a812-000d3ad1f29c [3] https://www.instagram.com/one_ball.inc/ [4] https://oneball.org.au/pages/our-story-1 [5] https://communityfoundation.org.au/organisation/one-ball-inc/