By Danielle Kutchel
More than just a bat and ball game, the recent ‘Don’t Give Up, Give Back’ T20 Cricket Tournament was a hit with a diverse cross section of the community.
The tournament’s name is also the motto of the All Nations Social Cricket club which runs it.
Founder Abdul Razzaq said the club aims to inspire a positive mindset amongst new members of the community.
He and co-founder Rob Koch set it up in 2014, under the umbrella of Monash Health and in partnership with Dandenong Council and Cricket Victoria, to encourage other asylum seekers to engage with the community to counter the social isolation that many experience. By extension, they hope this will reduce instances of mental health problems, drug use and suicide.
“Rather than stay home and get anxiety and depression, we decided to go and give back as volunteers and run this program,” he said
“It’s all about letting others know that mental health is very important.”
Local and international teams took to the pitch in the tournament, which also included an exhibition match involving members of Victoria Police.
“It was wonderful, very successful,” Mr Razzaq said.
“We achieved our goal to bring the community together.
“Yes we’re just playing cricket, but it’s not just cricket, it’s a cause.”
All Nations also plays social cricket every Sunday where asylum seekers and other socially isolated members of the community are able to find their place and meet friends.
Mr Razzaq and his team hope to bring in other sports in future and reach more socially isolated people.
“They just need people to reach them and get them out from that red zone,” Mr Razzaq explained.
“Sport is a wonderful tool to use for many purposes. Many people, migrants and locals alike, need this.”
Find out more about All Nations Social Cricket club on their Facebook page.
