Fourteen-year-old Mozhda considered herself too shy for team sport until she joined the volleyball team at Uniting Vic.Tas Keeping Afghan Girls Active (KAGA) program in South-East Melbourne.
Thanks to her growth during the program, she’s just been selected for the Victorian State Volleyball team.
“Before, I used to be really scared to go on the court,” Mozhda said. However, within two years of training and encouragement from her coaches in the KAGA program, she now feels a new level of confidence that goes beyond the court.
“I love the teamwork and it’s given me so much confidence. Not only in volleyball, but in real life situations, I’m really confident now,” Mozhda said.
“Before Uniting, I don’t think I was playing very good. Looking at the improvement from last year and this year, I’ve improved a lot,” Mozhda said.
The KAGA program, funded through the Federal Government’s Play Our Way grant program, has supported over 345 Afghan women and girls aged 12–25 years in Melbourne’s south-east to overcome cultural, financial and practical barriers to participating in sport.
Through culturally safe and inclusive activities—including soccer, swimming, volleyball and cricket—the program builds confidence, wellbeing, social connection and leadership skills while creating pathways into local sporting clubs.
Two years ago, the KAGA volleyball team didn’t exist. Now, they’ve got a junior and senior team, with more girls showing interest every week.
Like most of the girls in the program, Mozhda is second generation Australian. Her parents were both born in Afghanistan and emigrated to Australia before Mozhda and her sister were born.
From 20–25 September, Mozhda will represent Victoria at the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships in Perth. Mozhda is one of 26 athletes chosen from intense state-wide tryouts where a girl was cut every session until they had their final 26.
“It was a lot of hard drills, seeing how you played, how you communicate with your teammates, how large you are on the court,” Mozhda said.
Mozhda said KAGA’s sponsorship of her state team try-outs helped to elevate her self-esteem levels. “They’re not just [financially] sponsoring you; they’re giving you so much confidence.”
“Without Uniting, I would still be shy when I got on the court.”
Mozhda’s mother, Bakht, is also a talented volleyball player, taking to the court during the senior team’s training sessions to do drills and push the girls to challenge themselves. She is immensely proud of Mozhda making the Victorian team.
In the lead up to the championship, Mozhda has been receiving incredible support from KAGA, her parents and friends. “It makes me super proud of myself,” Mozhda says.
Mozhda aspires to continue playing professional volleyball over the coming years in the hopes of making the Australian National team when she turns 18.
Learn more about Uniting’s Multicultural Services.
