The Andrews Labor Government is backing multicultural young people with more opportunities to develop their skills and come together through sport.

Minister for Youth Ros Spence has announced $450,000 for sporting organisations that deliver mentoring and skill building activities for African and Muslim young people. This includes $150,000 each for the Bachar Houli Foundation, Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and The Huddle.

The grants were announced at a special event with Bachar Houli and the Richmond Football Club at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.

The Bachar Houli Foundation will use this funding to continue its Girls Leadership Program, which strengthens identity and community connectedness among Muslim girls aged 12 to 17 years.

It will also support the Foundation’s A-Game program, which engages Islamic young people through mentoring opportunities and interactive modules, and the Richmond Football Club’s Tiger Paw program which educates primary school students about teamwork and physical and mental wellbeing.

Funding will also support delivery of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s GOAL Youth Mentoring Program, which engages African young people in Melbourne’s West through mentoring and personal development workshops.

And it will continue The Huddle’s Wyndham Project, which is based at the North Melbourne Football Club and works with schools in Wyndham to engage African young people in sport and recreation activities and education and career support.

Young people from Victoria’s multicultural and faith communities have faced significant challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. With investments like these, the Labor Government is ensuring young peoplecan recover stronger than ever.