IMPACT

More Than Just Footy is a high-impact youth development initiative delivering powerful social, cultural, and economic outcomes for young people aged 15–25 across Melbourne. Designed for cohorts disproportionately affected by school disengagement, homelessness, unemployment, disconnection, and substance misuse, the program integrates mentoring, structured sport, cultural safety, and wrap-around supports to drive meaningful and sustained behavioural change.

Since COVID, More Than Just Footy has maintained strong community engagement, with Aboriginal young people representing more than 70% of annual participation. Grounded in inclusion, trust and a strong sense of belonging, the program works directly with young people experiencing significant systemic barriers. Through relationship-based mentoring, practical support and culturally responsive engagement, MTJF creates meaningful pathways towards improved wellbeing, personal development and long-term positive outcomes.

Mentoring as the Engine of Behavioural Change

MTJF mentoring model is the core mechanism that shifts behaviour. Delivered by experienced practitioners and community role models. By embedding mentoring into sport, community activities and one-on-one engagement, behavioural improvements become visible, repeatable, and sustainable.

Consistent guidance and accountability
Behaviour modelling in both structured and unstructured environments
Emotional regulation strategies and problem-solving skills
Goal setting, routine building, and future planning
Cultural support and identity-strengthening for Aboriginal participants

Sport as a Platform for Connection, Routine & Identity

Through partnership with the Collingwood Football Club Community Foundation, participants can choose to join our premier program in collaboration with the Collingwood Magpies Community Team in the Victorian Reclink Football League. A proven, evidence-based community sport model. Sport acts as the hook, while MTJF mentoring drives the long-term change witnessed over generations. MTJF highly trained coaches, consultants and youth specialists within our team and advisory board continue to innovate for youth impact.

Structure, routine and belonging
Increased self-esteem, discipline, and leadership
Opportunities to learn teamwork, conflict resolution, and communication
A culturally safe environment where positive behaviours are reinforced

Fitness, Mentoring and Personal Development

MTJF integrates structured fitness, physical conditioning, nutrition education and mental wellbeing into a holistic youth mentoring model that builds confidence, resilience and healthy habits. Supported by our own More Than Just Footy digital app, young people can engage with personalised goals, daily habit tracking, fitness challenges, wellbeing check-ins, recovery strategies and performance feedback. Combined with consistent mentoring relationships and group-based activities, this approach promotes accountability, positive routines and personal growth. Our model uses fitness and sport as accessible pathways to engagement, connection and early intervention, helping young people strengthen their mindset, develop self-belief and build practical skills for everyday life.

Justice System Prevention & Community Safety

The combined influence of mentoring, belonging, and structured engagement significantly reduces the factors that lead young people into the justice system. Every young person diverted from offending represents major community savings, both social and financial. It costs the community approximately $7775 per day for 1 young person to remain in youth justice custody in Victoria. Positive behaviour pathways are strengthened through our programs:

Pro-social role modelling
Reduced idle time and exposure to risk
Strong peer and mentor networks
Diversion from the justice system
Improved decision-making
Increased connection to community and culture

Economic Impact & Cost Savings

Independent analysis of similar models confirms exceptional return on investment, generating at least $8.94 in social value for every $1 invested. Given presentation of our cohort and the depth of our mentoring and support model, More Than Just Footy delivers impact that exceeds these benchmarks. These savings are derived from:

Reduced justice system involvement
Improved employment pathways
Increased community participation
Reduced reliance on crisis services
Health improvements and fewer acute interventions

Health & Wellbeing Improvements

Our integrated approach ensures that physical activity is paired with practical supports that address the underlying challenges affecting long-term stability. Participants experience measurable improvements in:

Physical health through high-intensity sport
Mental health, emotional regulation, and resilience
Nutrition and lifestyle habits
Reduced substance misuse
Access to mental health, housing and AOD support
Social and cultural wellbeing

Social Capital & Community Connection

The program builds strong social capital by creating a safe, inclusive community where participants feel part of something bigger than themselves. It fosters:

Belonging and connection
Links to prosocial
Trust and supportive relationships
Leadership development
Positive peer networks
Pathways into local Football Clubs
Exposure to community role models
Camp, links to services, opportunities, and pathways

In Summary:

More Than Just Footy delivers high-impact, evidence-aligned youth outcomes through an integrated model of mentoring, sport, community connection, and culturally informed support. The result is reduced justice-system involvement, improved wellbeing, stronger cultural identity, and significant economic benefit to the wider community.

This is more than a program, it's a movement for generational change strentching back to 2008, built on collaboration, cultural safety, and the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.