our vision
our program
Team Connect’s outreach program is available exclusively to young females at risk and in need. It uses cricket to assist in the provision of benevolent relief. Cricket was chosen as the vehicle to provide relief for a number of reasons, including:
- it is a team sport which encourages collaboration, strategy and a team effort – important transferable skills for school and life
- the amount of side-line time involved in the game creates a discrete opportunity to build relationships and for participants to receive emotional and other support in a relaxed environment
- no previous experience is required – making the program accessible to all abilities and cultures
- it fosters a positive approach to physical activity – enabling young girls to engage sport which enhances their physical and mental welfare.
Team Connect works with schools to nominate at-risk children to participate and then engages with local cricket teams, to implement the outreach program across suburbs of Perth.
The program has been running since 2018, during which time Team Connect has developed a structure of collaboration with these community entities for a public benevolent purpose.
our story
In 2017, our founder Margie Oldfield completed a Diploma of Youth Work at North Metropolitan TAFE. On completion of her Diploma, Margie was inspired to create her own initiative to support young people at risk of disengaging from school.
Margie established Team Connect in 2018 to foster a safe and open space for young females and their families to congregate, learn, share and experience relief from distress and isolation.
Team Connect has developed a successful outreach program which involves
collaboration with schools, councils and other community entities for a public benevolent institution purpose.
Since inception, hundreds of girls from over 40 different nationalities have
participated in the Team Connect program.
benefits
Everyone benefits from involvement in Team Connect.
Outcomes of this program include:
- improved self-esteem
- development of life skills in resilience, patience and team work
- establishment of connections beyond home and school and in the community and
foundation of a support network for the future - reduction in truancy
- increased participation and inter-student interaction at school
- mentoring and fostering of healthy relationships
- development of practical skills which may support future employability and
community contribution - exposure to positive role models
- increased social exposure and interaction for participants and their families
- opportunity for family to deepen community connections by attending matches
- future education opportunities: accreditation in areas such as umpiring, scoring,
coaching-skills that could be useful on a resume.
how it works
Schools, community clubs and volunteers come together to enable teams of girls to play cricket
high school agrees to work with Team Connect
school nominates team of teachers to liaise
with us
teachers identify girls to form a team
Team Connect aligns the team to a local club and completes registrations
Team Connect provides all equipment, kit, transport and volunteer support
committee
our volunteer committee overseas the operation of Team Connect and our volunteer coordinator staff member works with our founder Margie to run the program
Margie Oldfield
Margie holds Diploma of Youth Work and has been actively involved in community sport for over 20 years. She is passionate in her belief that it is the responsibility of everyone in the community to help support and protect our young people. She created the Team Connect program in 2018 and through her work has supported hundreds of girls.
Margie has won multiple WA and National awards for her commitment to community through her volunteering.
Katherine Thomas
Katherine became involved with Team Connect in 2022, after experiencing its impact through her daughter’s junior cricket games, and became Chair in 2025. Katherine is a graduate of the Company Director’s course and, in addition to Team Connect, has served as an NFP director for FDV dental charity Healing Smiles, and the Australasian Legal Technology Alliance. In her professional life, Katherine is Head of Growth and Strategy for a corporate law firm.
Tara Robson
Tara is a finance and governance professional with over 30 years’ experience in the small- to mid-cap listed resources sector. She holds a Bachelor of Accounting, is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a CPA (US, inactive).
Over her career, Tara has developed deep expertise in equity and project financing, joint ventures, royalties, and the acquisition and divestment of mineral assets, with direct listing experience across the ASX, TSX, and HKEX. Most recently Tara was the CEO of Ardiden Ltd, leading its merger with Lac Gold. She now serves as Finance Director of the merged entity, Lac Gold Limited.
Tara brings this same rigour and financial discipline to her role at Team Connect WA, giving donors confidence that every contribution is stewarded with the same care and accountability she has applied throughout her career in listed markets. She was appointed to the Foundation’s board in December 2018.
Bec McLennan
Bec has a background in teaching, community sport and local government. Her leadership roles have included Director of Metropolitan Junior Community Cricket and President of the Peel Junior Cricket Association. Growing up, Bec saw friends miss out on opportunities and support at school, shaping her commitment to Team Connect WA. As a cricketer, she knows team belonging can shape a girl’s future by building confidence, connection and a supportive community that lasts beyond the season.
Nicki Bardwell
Nicki is a lifelong sports lover who is driven by equity and inclusion for all. She has a background as a research scientist and been involved in the not for profit community sector for the past decade in a number of executive and non-executive Director roles. Nicki is CEO at Fair Game Australia.
Karen Brittain
With a diverse background in marketing, partnerships, travel and philanthropy, Karen has held a variety of key executive and managerial roles over the past two decades.
Karen is currently the Sustainability and Partnerships Advisor for Advocare, the peak body for Seniors in Western Australia. From 2021 to 2026, Karen was the Executive Officer of 100 Women, a national giving circle focused on empowering everyday people to contribute to impactful change for women and girls facing disadvantage. Karen has previously served as the State Manager for the Australian British Chamber of Commerce, managed strategic partnerships for Zonta House Refuge Association, and managed sponsorships and events with the Australian Institute of Company Directors which honed her skills in fostering collaboration and driving growth.
Karen’s passion for travel allowed her to live and work in Canada and England in addition to spending almost three years in Asia and Eastern Europe (mostly in China) as a tour leader with Intrepid Travel, an Australian eco-tourism company. Karen has a double degree in Communications (Public Relations and HR) and has a Cert IV in Leisure and Health (Aged Care). She sits on the Board of Team Connect WA, a charity supporting at risk teen girls and continues to volunteer with 100 Women as Co-Host of Community Kind, a 100 Women Podcast and as the connector between grassroots charities and 100 Women’s national funding program.
Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating meaningful, sustainable change through strategic relationships and community centred partnerships.
let's
connect!
Whether you’re a school, club, volunteer or supporter—there’s a place for you in Team Connect. Get in touch!