In a concrete jungle of high-rise rise apartments, there’s a small patch of much-loved artificial grass, which has become a community hub in Western Sydney.
Local kids go there every Friday with their families after school, kicking around Aussie Rules and soccer balls.
“We’ve been doing this for the last two years and half without stopping,” sports-mad mum Heba Aly said.
Wentworth Point has rapidly developed from an industrial area to a residential suburb over the past 10 years, and is home to many migrant families.
Ms Aly moved to the suburb from Egypt six years ago, and started running local sports clinics.
There are no football or soccer fields in the suburb, so Ms Aly held the sessions in a concrete car park.
“The key is to enjoy whatever we have,” she said.
“Sport can be anywhere. No need to struggle because we don’t have space.”
The population of Wentworth Point has almost doubled over the past several years, with just over 12,000 residents.
With plenty of kids wanting somewhere to run around, the suburb’s property developer Billbergia created a 60-square-metre area of green turf two years ago.
“You need to make sure there is a green space for the kids,” Ms Aly said.
“Because where will they go?”
The power of sport
Ms Aly is a former professional handball player who is also the coach of the Australian women’s handball team.
She believes sport is the key to helping migrant families find their feet.
“I feel like this is my journey,” she said.
“Most of the people, don’t know anything about Australian sports. One of them is the AFL.”
The GWS Giants have a strong presence at Wentworth Point, with club representatives and players running regular Aussie Rules clinics.
“A lot of people might not know each other and there are language barriers,” foundation player Adam Kennedy said.
“But they all come here, they’re all smiling they’re all having fun and kicking the footy around.”
He’s noticed a huge attitude change towards AFL in Western Sydney over the past 12 years.
“They know players, they know games, they’ve been to games,” he said.
“They’re showing us how to kick a drop punt, how to kick a goal, what celebration we should do next.
“So they’ve bought right into it.”
Green space and urban sprawl
Rasha Shnoudeh and her family moved to Wentworth Point four months ago.
Her daughter Tala loves soccer, while Carla enjoys watching AFL.
“There are many buildings, the population is high over here,” she said.
“So we’d really appreciate if they provide us with play areas and a soccer field.”
The developer has lodged plans for more green space in Wentworth Point, including multi-use sports facilities, and is waiting on state government approval.
Urban sprawl and the urgent need for housing is leading to more high-rise apartments, but Ms Aly says basic sports fields are a must.
“I feel this is very important for all the developers around Sydney to think about this,” she said.
“In four-five years we’ll have over 2,000 kids at least, but we don’t have any space.”
Local dad Youhanna Mekheil would also like to see more greenery and opportunities for kids to burn off energy.
“It’s good to have some sports for kids, after school and (in the) holidays,” he said.
“There’s a need for more space, more activities, and more trainers.”
Ms Aly believes there are future elite athletes in Wentworth Point.
“That’s my dream to see most of the kids here in the Olympics or playing AFL, football, basketball.
“Sport is the key to let any community live in harmony, in a good environment.”