The Soccer Noodles program seeks to involve disadvantaged young people in Melbourne's Western suburbs in sport to improve their health and wellbeing. Through regular and structured physical activity, the project aims to provide a foundation for positive health outcomes, a constructive outlet for frustration and boredom and the development of skills in the areas of sport, leadership and social inclusion.
The Soccer Noodles developed from a research project in 2006, which studied the effect of using sport (in particular soccer) to decrease the dependency of alcohol and drug taking for young people.
From 2007, Open Family Australia has conducted this program adjunct to its Outreach work, giving young people with problematic drug and alcohol use the opportunity to train and compete in soccer. This program teaches the young person how a healthy life can enable him or her to avoid making detrimental decisions which affect their well being. The team plays under the banner of Footscray Mall United but is nicknamed the Soccer Noodles as they go out after training once a week and have a healthy meal at a noodles restaurant.
The team trains weekly and competes in a yearly competition as well as attending a variety of social activities. In 2008, the team participated in a "Healthy Eating" program which aimed at educating and encouraging Soccer Noodles team members in improving dietary habits. Five sessions were conducted by an accredited dietitian in a relaxed, interactive and fun environment. Each session focused on a different area of nutrition and involved group participation and discussion.
The program was highly successful with many of the participants feeling it was an added value to their existing training regime.
The City of Frankston has a new community outreach program to combat the rise in youth homelessness, crime and alcohol and drug related abuse for troubled youth in the region. A development committee made up of concerned local business owners approached Open Family Australia in 2008 to establish the program to assist at-risk and homeless youth aged 12-25 in Frankston.
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