Football United Community Coordinator Assmaah Helal was honoured with an invitation to be Ambassador to the International Working Group on Women and Sport, as their 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport will be held from 20 to 23 May 2010 at The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Assmaah is the epitomy of the principles under which Football United was founded – those of promoting equity and social harmony for all through the magic game of football,” noted Football United founder Anne Bunde-Birouste. “She is a living example of harmony, positive spirit, and engagement for improving our societies. Under her leadership our girls’ program will reach new levels of empowerment”. We are thrilled with this recognition, for her and all that she stands for.”

“I am a fervent believer in the power of sport to transcend colour, race, ethnicity and gender. As a woman and as a Muslim woman in particular, I aim to provide opportunities to inspire and to motivate girls to participate in the universal language of sport, and to provide, especially for young Muslim women, an environment sensitive to their needs in which to do this.”

- Assmaah

Born and raised in Australia with Muslim migrant parents, Assmaah has been an avid football fan and player since childhood. She has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science and has previously worked as a girls sports coordinator and coach with SydWest Multicultural Services.  She is currently Football United's community coordinator working to assist newly arrived migrants, refugees and disadvantaged youth through football and leadership opportunities.  She currently plays in the Super League team for St George Football Club.

For more information on Football United please visit their website here: http://footballunitedprogram.org/