From Afghanistan to Bass Coast, Nahida’s kicking goals
From Afghanistan to Bass Coast, Nahida Rezai has had a remarkable journey, and to say her two years in Australia have been busy would be an understatement. The community recently celebrated just how far she’s come.
Year 12 exams are now taking place across the state, but they’re far from the only thing Bass Coast College student Nahida Rezai is working towards.
Nahida arrived in Australia in 2024, and to say she’s been busy since then would certainly be an understatement.
Nahida has been tackling Year 12 while simultaneously learning English, and has also completed a Certificate II in Workplace Skills and a Certificate III in Business, all while working at GippSport through a Westvic traineeship.
Originally from Afghanistan, she lived in Pakistan for about two years before moving to Wonthaggi with her family.
Starting school in Australia proved difficult, especially when she needed to follow teachers’ explanations in English.
But the combination of studying while working helped her understand more, and her role at GippSport gave her confidence to speak with people when helping with sporting activities.
“Working here at GippSport really helped to boost my confidence,” Nahida said.
She said her favourite part takes her outside the office where she joins supervisors to run activities such as basketball and soccer at schools and clubs.
And soccer has been a pillar for Nahida.
She played the sport as a child and during her time in Pakistan, before spending a year with the Inverloch Stars after arriving in Australia.
She now plays for Wonthaggi United.
And she wants to take her game even further.
“I want to improve in soccer, like a professional soccer player,” she said.
Bass Coast College English as an additional language teacher Amanda McMahon said Nahida had also volunteered with Melbourne Victory and the Afghan women’s team in Melbourne, helping with holiday programs involving River Nile School and Doveton College.
Ms McMahon said that commitment sometimes involved Nahida making her own way to Melbourne to help run a 9am soccer program at Doveton College with Melbourne Victory.
She said partnerships with GippSport and Melbourne Victory had supported Nahida’s progress, alongside her own determination.
“She’s an inspiration to all young people and students at our school, most definitely,” she said.
Westvic and GippSport organised a recent celebration at the Inverloch Community Hub to acknowledge Nahida’s accomplishments.
“It’s an acknowledgement of how hard she has worked, and that we, the community, have been there to support her, but essentially she’s done all the hard work,” Ms McMahon said.
“It’s been her.”
Westvic workforce development manager Katherine Cousins spoke at the event, congratulating Nahida and sharing messages from supporters who couldn’t attend.
With Year 12 coming to an end, Nahida hopes to turn her experience into work in sport.
She has spoken with Melbourne Victory about possible coaching work and wants to continue pursuing soccer professionally.
