A commitment to advocating for people.

Margie Andréason is the Employment Pathways Coordinator for Creating Chances and Football United. Back in 2016, Margie attended Festival16 in Lyon, France. She was the Head of Delegation responsible for four participants from the Football United programs in Sydney. She “flew over with them, stayed with them, and looked after them in and around the festival.”

The diverse selection of people and the culture they brought with them was a powerful memory for Margie as she remembers there being “so many people from so many different cool places. The vibe from the beginning was insane, everyone was there for all the right reasons, having a good time. Learning about each other, having fun playing football but with the right idea behind it, not taking it too seriously.”

Margie remembers how the possibility for open communication and, “cultural exchange..was just really fun”. 

Whilst studying her Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Margie was drawn to ‘sport for good’ when her research exposed her to this sector. She enjoyed the mix of helping people from non-English speaking backgrounds and football.

She is passionate about her work with Creating Chances, Common Goal and Football United, and believes that, “If some people are better off because of my contribution in any way, then I’m happy with that. My role is supporting people, advocating for people.”

Margie would like to see more support from the sport industry for ‘sport for good’. She would like if more of that could happen. “I've seen through Football United it really does make a difference to young people, in grassroots organisations all around the world, not just through football united here in Australia.” Margie hopes to share and inspire others to have the opportunity to engage in these “learning experiences”, through “knowledge exchange”, and “cultural exchange.”