Forty participants from various Football United programs across Sydney's west and south-west - and from 15 different cultural backgrounds - were selected to participate in Football United's 2011 Leadership Camp held at the Sydney Academy of Sports between the 3rd and 6th of October 2011.

The four day residential camp targeted Football United youth currently engaged in weekly training programs as junior coaches and coordinators. The camp worked on enhancing knowledge and skills in leadership, team work, event coordination and working with communities.

The initial day consisted of icebreakers, forming teams for their group work and mini world cup, and laying out the foundation that would shape the rest of the camp. Participants learned the importance of working in a team and got them thinking about setting short term and long term goals finishing off with some psychodrama goal shooting.

Camp participants had the privilege of being trained by professional coaches of high calibre including Louis Chaperon from Kicks for Kids; Anton Ivancic, UNSW Men's Division 1 State league coach and Sydney FC's Community Development Officer, Daniel Barrett.

Participants were given a quick interactive tutorial by Flashpoint Labs and Football United communications manager, Stuart Meney on using film and photography as a form of expression. Teams were provided with cameras, supported by the Telstra Foundation's Digital Connections project, to document their camp experience.

Other exciting activities rated highly by the participants included a Yoga session by Yoga Aid in which one participant said, "it made me breathe better, control my feelings and clear my brain." The mini world cup proved to be a massive hit at the camp, "it was so much fun, and it brought everyone together", in which the Young Stars beat the Green Tigers in a penalty shoot out. The trip to Collaroy beach was also another highlight for some fun in the sun and beach football.

Freestyle jugglers, hip hop dancers, rap artists, Arabic singers, piano performances are some of what was featured by our participants on Tuesday night's Football United's X-Factor with Anne BB, Paul Lelliot and Brian as guest judges.

The Football Federation of Australia invited Football United participants to attend the official launch of the A-league where they had the opportunity to meet celebrity footballers.

Wednesday proved to be a success with each team producing an event plan for their chosen Football United project ranging from festivals, fundraising events, hospital visits, and school gala days. Presentations were marked against set criteria based around delivery, creativity of presentations.

On the final day, a representative of the Attorney General's Office, Branka Gajic, presented the winning presentation, Green Tigers, with special prizes.

The camp would not have been a success without the tireless efforts of staff and volunteers. This camp was supported by the Attorney General's office, SydWest Multicultural Services Inc, Save the Children and the Telstra Foundation.