The Frank Montagnese Foundation is proud to stand alongside organisations that don’t just change lives – they help shape brighter futures. One such organisation is One Ball, a community-driven initiative founded by the inspirational Kamal Ibrahim, which uses the universal language of football to empower young people, foster belonging, and build character that extends far beyond the field.
Recently, we were thrilled to support One Ball’s Family Day, a celebration of connection, culture, and community. Our own Gabby attended the event, joining Kamal and his team as they brought together families, volunteers, and young players to reflect on how sport can be a powerful force for good.
The day was filled with energy and joy, children running across the pitch with beaming smiles, coaches guiding them with care and enthusiasm, and moments of cultural significance that reminded everyone that this is more than a sporting program. It’s a movement grounded in inclusion and hope.
A Vision Born from Experience
One Ball began with a simple but profound vision: to create opportunities for young people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Founder Kamal Ibrahim, a former professional footballer, refugee, and community leader, knows first-hand the challenges faced by many of the young people he now mentors. His story is one of resilience and gratitude. Having arrived in Australia as a teenager from Ethiopia, Kamal used football to find his place, his voice, and his purpose.
Through One Ball, he now pays that experience forward, giving hundreds of young people the same chance to grow through sport.
Since its inception, One Ball has reached over 500 youth participants, aged between 5 and 20, across its programs. Beyond teaching football skills, it instils values like confidence, respect, and teamwork – qualities that set the foundation for success in life. Each participant represents not just a number, but a story of potential unlocked and futures rewritten.
Partnership Through Purpose
At the Frank Montagnese Foundation, we believe that strong communities are built when individuals and organisations come together with shared intent. Supporting One Ball perfectly reflects this philosophy.
For us, it’s not just about supporting sport – it’s about supporting the social fabric that sport helps to create. Initiatives like One Ball foster belonging, self-esteem, and leadership in young Australians from all backgrounds. They remind us that when young people are given the right guidance and opportunities, they can achieve extraordinary things.
A Day of Celebration and Connection
The recent One Ball Family Day was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. The event opened with a beautiful cultural performance, followed by speeches that reflected on the organisation’s growth and its deep impact on the community.
It was also a moment to celebrate milestones, particularly the achievement of engaging 500 youth participants. Every one of them is a testament to what’s possible when compassion meets action.
Building Stronger Communities, Together
The Frank Montagnese Foundation is deeply committed to supporting organisations like One Ball that are driven by purpose and anchored in community. Whether it’s improving access to sport, funding medical research, or supporting families in need, FMF’s mission remains the same, to create meaningful impact where it’s needed most.
We’re incredibly proud to support Kamal and the One Ball team as they continue to inspire the next generation of leaders, both on and off the field.
Together, we can keep building communities where every child feels included, every story matters, and every dream has the chance to take flight.
Learn more about One Ball and their incredible work at www.oneball.org.au.
