Our Story
In 2016, two passionate community leaders saw something that didn’t sit right.
Too many young people — particularly those from newly arrived and migrant backgrounds — were standing on the sidelines. Mainstream sport in Adelaide wasn’t accessible to everyone. Barriers like cost, confidence, language and belonging were preventing young people from participating. They believed sport should unite, not exclude.
So in 2017, One Culture was born.
Using the ‘world game’ as a bridge, we began creating safe, welcoming spaces where young people could connect, grow and belong. What started as a simple idea — bringing people together through football — quickly became something much bigger.
At the same time, we recognised that inclusion needed to extend beyond the field. Families were seeking structured, ongoing support for people living with disability — support that understood culture, community and individual goals. We began building one of the first sustainable inclusive sports programs connected to registered NDIS services, ensuring that participation and support could exist side by side.
Our weekly programs, tournaments and inclusive community events rapidly gained momentum. Word spread. Communities grew. Trust deepened.
With that growth came responsibility — to do more, to reach further, and to strengthen collaboration. We expanded our support services for individuals with disability and built strong partnerships with local, state and federal government departments, working together to create broader, long-term impact.
Today, One Culture Group stands as the evolution of that original vision — a unified organisation blending sport, support and community to create real pathways to belonging, confidence and independence.
What began as a response to exclusion has grown into a movement for inclusion.
Josh Smith, Co-Founder
“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
“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 Adelaide, South Australia
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 Adelaide. We offer Physiotherapy and Allied Health Assistance 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 Adelaide, South Australia.
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.