United Multicultural Stories: Omar Coles & Helping Hoops

One of the things that makes Melbourne as a city so great is the diversity on display around every corner.

That has also always been true on the court at Melbourne United, with the organisation featuring a lineup from around the globe across our 10 year history.

Basketball’s power as a uniting force is not just seen professionally, but also at the grassroots level through organisations such as Helping Hoops.

The organisation runs over 600 free basketball clinics a year, bringing together young athletes from different cultures and backgrounds to learn and play on the court.

One such clinic in Dandenong is run by Omar Coles, an Australian-American who, since moving to Australia, has been working with Helping Hoops for a decade.

When asked why he does what he does, his answer was simple.

“I do what I do because I believe that, like Whitney Houston said, I believe that children are the future, teach them well and they will lead us, show them all the beauty they possess inside,” he said.

“I teach these kids because I feel like if you open up their minds to sport and work as a team, you’re opening up their doors in life.

“Sport is a way of communication, everybody speaks sport, no matter what language you speak at home, everybody speaks sport.”

Coles’ clinic, which caters to children aged 5-18 across two sessions, featured a group from across the community who had come together to enjoy some time on the court with their friends, while improving their skills at the same time.

Coles said seeing the group work together at such a young age, regardless of race or ethnicity, helps to build a sense of inclusion and acceptance off the court.

“We’re all a part of the human race. Our cultures are the things that we do differently, but when you come together on the court, you put all of those differences aside, it’s just a wide open environment to run and play in.

“I love doing this because it opens up pathways. If you get these opportunities at a young age, that’s going to carry over as you grow up.”

Melbourne United is excited to celebrate the diversity of our team and our city this Sunday during The Multicultural Game.

Tickets to The Multicultural Game remain available here, while The Multicultural Festval is free for all.