Our Story
Find out more about us
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to 2016 when our two founders, Josh Smith and Nader Ibrahim, identified that not all groups in the community had access to mainstream sports in Adelaide. Being extremely passionate about sport themselves, this was an issue that they were driven to rectify.
As a result of this, in 2017 One Culture (the initial company that would later expand to become One Culture Support Services) was founded, offering both sports programs for multicultural youth and people living with disabilities in South Australia.
What started as just one Inclusive Program in Adelaide City, has grown into something that we could only have dreamt of. We can now stand proud as a registered NDIS disability provider and say that we offer the biggest and most consistent variety of inclusive sports programs within South Australia and now in the New South Wales; alongside a wealth of other disability services.
Josh Smith, Co-Founder and Strategic Manager
“We started One Culture to create opportunities for people to participate in sport, regardless of their age, culture or ability. It was important for us to create an organisation that made people feel welcome and provide pathways to bigger and better things. I'm proud of what we have achieved and the amazing outcomes generated for those who might have missed out otherwise in playing sport here in Australia.”
Nader Ibrahim, Co-Founder and Operations Manager
“We knew the power that sport can play in contributing to a welcoming and inclusive community. We wanted to ensure that no groups were excluded due to any barriers that may disadvantage them. We knew what everyone knows, but we have worked hard to achieve what many couldn't”
We were the first disability sports organisation registered with the NDIS in South Australia.
What else do we offer?
Alongside our regular sports programs, we also run an Inclusive Championship once a term, in which we bring all of our sports together for great day of fun! This is a great opportunity for participants to build new connections and try different sports, held in both SA and NSW.
We also offer support work and mentoring opportunities to help participants access the community and assist them to work on their goals. We take time to match our participants with our Support Workers and Mentors and we understand the importance of the bonds that are formed between the two.
Allied Health is yet another service we are passionate about because we prioritise health and fitness in both SA and NSW. We offer Physiotherapy, Allied Health and Personal Training, we have our own indoor gym in Kilburn and also offer in-home services.
At the end of the day, we all want to have fun right? That’s why we keep this in mind with every service that we offer. Our School Holiday Program is the epitome of this and we offer activities every day of the school holidays, open to all ages, all covered by NDIS funding in both SA and NSW.
The transition between school and the workplace is challenging for everyone and we wanted to offer a School Leavers Employment Supports that differs from other providers. We have a team of lived experience Mentors that will guide and support participants along their journey. A big part of this program is the Football Volunteering Program in which participants obtain work experience at local NPL Football Clubs.
Last, but by no means least, is our Support Coordination, a support network that is so crucial to so many to help them feel encouraged, supported and guided through the NDIS - which we know first hand, is extremely complex! We want to make this support as easy as possible for families, to reduce and prevent any stress. We are always just a phone call away!
Working with us not only helps you, but supports local multicultural youth.
We give back to the community
Being a non-profitable charity and social enterprise, our profits from NDIS services go back into delivering free sports programs for new arrival, migrant and Indigenous youth through One Culture Football.
We run 5 free Multicultural Football Programs each week of the school term, both for boys and girls. Their aim is to encourage young people live healthier lifestyles, increase their well-being, reduce anti-social behaviour and develop life skills such as teamwork, respect and self-confidence.
Twice a year we also run Futsal 5’s Tournaments to bring the local community together, no matter participant’s backgrounds or language they speak. To find out more about the work that One Culture Football does, please click on the button below.