Creating Belonging Through Football
For Zena Rasol, football has never just been about the game. Today she works as the Programs Coordinator with the Bachar Houli Foundation, based in the AFL NSW/ACT office in Blacktown and working closely with the Greater Western Sydney Giants. But her journey into the role started well before she ever worked in the AFL system.
Zena first joined the foundation as a trainee through AFL NSW, completing the Bachar Houli traineeship program before moving into a full-time position. In doing so, she became the first Bachar Houli Foundation staff member based in New South Wales. Today her work focuses on game development across Western Sydney, where she coordinates Auskick programs with a large number of local schools and helps deliver the Bachar Houli Cup in NSW.
“The program is named after Bachar Houli, a practising Muslim who played more than 200 AFL games for the Richmond Football Club and Essendon Football Club. Houli’s impact both on and off the field helped create a pathway for young Muslims to connect with the game, while also building opportunities in leadership, education and employment. Since its creation, the Bachar Houli Cup has engaged more than 8,000 participants across Australia.”
For Zena, the work is deeply personal.
When she was in Year 7, several Islamic schools were invited to take part in an AFL day. It was meant to be an opportunity to try something new, but the experience left a lasting impression. Her PE teacher pulled her aside and told her she couldn’t play AFL.
The moment stuck with her. Zena had always loved sport, growing up playing soccer, rugby league and netball, even if she admits she was never particularly good at any of them. What hurt wasn’t the sport itself, rather the feeling that she didn’t belong.
“I always felt like the odd one out being a young Muslim girl. I wasn’t surrounded by people who looked like me or had the same experiences.”
She laughs now that she still doesn’t really know how to kick a footy properly. But that hasn’t stopped her love for the game.
Before joining the foundation, Zena had been studying social work and knew she wanted to work in a role that supported community. When she came across the Bachar Houli traineeship opportunity, she immediately felt drawn to it.
“For me it wasn’t just about AFL. It was the opportunity to empower young Muslims and show them what’s possible.”
She saw the traineeship as a chance to become the representation she hadn’t had growing up.
“I didn’t have someone like that when I was in school. So I wanted to be that person for young people now – someone who could encourage them to give things a go.”
For Zena, football became a tool rather than the end goal.
“AFL is a platform. If it helps young people build confidence, connect with their community or believe in themselves, then why not use it?”
In her current role, she works with schools across Western Sydney introducing young people to the game and creating opportunities for them to participate. One of the highlights has been coordinating the Bachar Houli Cup in New South Wales, bringing together schools and students from across the region.
Zena was responsible for coordinating the schools involved, managing communications and helping run the event. The support she received from AFL NSW and the GWS Giants made a huge difference.
“They were incredible. They helped with everything, including the draw, the marquees, the setup. We even had volunteers supporting the event.”
Experiences like that reinforced how powerful partnerships can be when it comes to community sport.
While Zena originally joined the program with a focus on supporting young Muslims, her perspective quickly broadened. Through her work in Western Sydney she became passionate about supporting young people from all backgrounds.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to stay open-minded. You can’t shut people out. The goal is to support the whole community.”
That mindset now shapes how she approaches her work, creating spaces where young people feel welcome, encouraged and confident enough to try something new.
The Bachar Houli Foundation was created to develop young leaders within the Muslim community and provide pathways into education, employment and leadership. As the program continues to grow across Australia, people like Zena are helping ensure those opportunities reach even more communities.
For her, the most rewarding moments are often the simplest ones, seeing a young person step outside their comfort zone and have a go.
“I always tell the girls to just try. Sometimes that’s all someone needs. A little bit of encouragement.”
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