On Sunday 21 July, young women from across Christchurch are invited to take part in a tournament that is about bringing cultures and communities together.
 

Social Women’s Netball Tournament
Sunday 21 July 2019
4 to 9:30pm
Hornby High School gymnasium

$10 per person
 

“People have assumptions about each other,” says Sultani. “Sport gives us that environment to learn more about each other. That’s the opportunity we have. To prove those assumptions wrong…to get out of your comfort zone.”

Although she is active in local youth groups connecting the Christchurch Muslim community, Sultani’s dream is for a sporting event that attracts diverse participants – pakeha, Pasifika and beyond.

Community Netball Manager Geni Tuilagi says that Sultani’s approach is inspiring. Along with NetballSmart Development Officer Hannah Coutts, Tuilagi will provide advice, resources and on-the-day support for the special event.

When the team at Healthy Families Christchurch approached Netball Mainland for support, Tuilagi says the answer was “immediately yes.”

“We know that in Christchurch, sport has a more important role to play than ever – as an outlet in times of stress, and helping build resilience.”

In June 2019, a friend of Sultani, Canterbury Resilience Foundation’s Abdigani Ali, introduced a new event to Christchurch to acknowledge the end of Ramadan – EID AL-FITR 2019 FUTSAL CUP.

Abdigani’s participation-focused event was a huge success, and Sultani was suddenly surrounded by her female friends asking the question – Why isn’t there something like this…for us?

Sultani approached Healthy Families Christchurch, a prevention-focused initiative delivered by the team at Sport Canterbury.

“We work within the school system, sports clubs, events and marae to influence healthier choices,” says Healthy Families Christchurch Manager Dave Jeffrey.

His team takes an approach to environments to influence nutritional choices, physical activity opportunities, alcohol management, pro-water policies and resilience strategies.

Team sports are an effective method of unwinding and keeping the mind distracted from other stressful factors, Jeffrey adds.

Sultani is a UC student and Kiwi Afghan who understands that within her community and beyond, young women see the benefits of having a go at sport – and wants to appeal to what they all hold in common.

“That’s the vision I have for this. To bring communities together.”

For more information, please e-mail sadrasultani2@gmail.com