Our Mission
The Oboya Foundation provides free weekly athletics coaching for all participants, with additional needs-based financial support available to cover competition fees, uniforms and essential equipment for families facing financial, cultural or social barriers.
Through structured, evidence-based programs, we use running as a tool to build resilience, confidence and positive mental health outcomes, ensuring no young person is excluded due to cost or circumstance.
Our Programs
The Oboya Foundation delivers free weekly athletics coaching for young people aged 10-17, creating consistent and structured training environments that are safe, inclusive and supportive.
Our programs reduce barriers to participation, with additional needs-based financial grants available to assist families with competition fees, uniforms and essential equipment. We welcome young people from all backgrounds, with intentional support for those from culturally diverse and refugee communities.
Beyond athletics, our programs integrate mentoring, leadership development and wellbeing support - using sport as a platform to build confidence, resilience and life skills that extend far beyond the track.
We don't just train athletes - we develop confident, strong and capable young leaders.
A Message To The Youth
As an Ethiopian-born Australian Olympian, it might surprise people that I had no idea what Little Athletics was growing up. I discovered running on my own, and it quickly became home - the place I felt most myself. That path took me all the way to proudly representing Australia.
At Oboya Foundation, we give every participant a free and evidence-based shot at the start line, so they have the right tools to run their own race - on and off the track.
- Founder, Bendere Oboya