Through Football Victoria’s (FV) Multicultural Settlement Program (MSP) Gordon Twahirwa has been able to give back to his community.
Gordon moved to Australia in 2016 from Uganda as a student and found his second family within the Victorian football community, connecting with FV Programs Manager Abraham Abraham.
“I loved football for as long as I can remember, my life is football, football football,” he said.
“We used to play soccer in the streets we used to play all the time.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for me to make friends when I got here but when I started to get into football, I made friends everywhere.
Football helped me make friends here, most of the friends that I have is from football.”
Gordon coaches in FV’s Miniroo’s settlement, All Abilities, Geelong community clubs, and school programs.
“I went to one of the clubs in St Albans but because of the hard schedule with school and work I thought I couldn’t play anymore but I could still do something for the game,” Gordon said.
“I met Foddy Kyprian from FV who helped me get involved at the Geelong Rangers and got me in touch with (FV Schools Program Manager) Brad Atholwood to coach in schools.
“Along the way, I also met FV Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator Selin Arpaci through Abraham and she helped me get involved in the All-Abilities Program.”
Gordan explained he enjoyed upskilling and empowering young people through coaching and planned to continue rising through the ranks.
“I really love it because I like to see people achieve their dreams,” he said.
“I want to be a part of people's stories and help them achieve their goals, I think I can use football to give back to people through my love for the sport. I want to help people achieve their dreams.
“I want to coach at club level or even national level the sky is the limit.”
Since moving to Australia, Gordon was determined to give back to his hometown; Kamwokya, a suburb in Kampala Uganda.
“The first time I did was with my own money, I went to savers and would buy some second-hand gear and stored it up ready to send back home,” he said.
“One day I spoke to Abraham and he said ‘that sounds really good, I can help you out with a few things’ so he got me some more gear and then I sent it home.
“Later I spoke to Tom Yabio from Football Empowerment he also gave me some soccer boots and other equipment.
“I send it in bits because I can’t send it all together”.
Last December, Gordon visited his hometown and was overjoyed to see the equipment being put to good use.
“They are very appreciative of the people here in Australia,” he said.
“They are so happy they have the equipment, and it has been really helpful as they are all improving.
“I am always going to keep doing what I can do, I will keep sending things back.
“From when I started a few years ago there have been a few players who have been helped and are now in higher leagues, they have made it to the national team and play around which is really good.
"It brings me joy seeing them becoming better people in the community and becoming better players it makes it all worthwhile."
To help Gordon with his cause: gordongilberttwahirwa@gmail.com