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
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 a bachelor of Youth Work and has been actively involved in community sport for over 15 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 the program expanded rapidly and through her work she has supported hundreds of girls.
Claire Boyd
Claire is a partner in the Corporate Advisory practice of law firm Gilbert + Tobin. She has over 25 years’ experience in advising small to large corporations on corporate and commercial matters, specialises in the energy and resources sector.
Tara Robson
Tara is a finance and governance professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the listed small to medium market cap space. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. She is currently the Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of an ASX listed company in the exploration stage.
Katherine Thomas
Katherine became involved with Team Connect after experiencing its impact when her daughter played cricket against Team Connect sides. In her professional life, she advises on strategy and marketing and is currently Head of Growth and Strategy for a corporate law firm. In addition to her role with Team Connect WA, she is a Director and Board Member of domestic violence charity Healing Smiles and of the Australasian Legal Technology Association.
Hannah Cameron
Hannah is a post graduate psychology student and has experience working with young people and their families in a variety of spaces. She currently works in client care as a group therapy facilitator at The Kidd Clinic.
let's
connect!
Get in touch with our team for more information or to get involved in our program.