Iranian footballers backed by Afghan international cricketer Firooza Amiri to adjust to life in Australia

Firooza Amiri knows what it is like to be a sports refugee from a war-torn country.

The opening batter for the Afghan national women's cricket team fled the Taliban when it returned to power in 2021, along with most of her teammates, when she was just 18.

Now 22, Amiri said she had been watching the ongoing saga of the Iranian women's football team closely, as six members were granted asylum in Australia while the remainder of the team faced an excruciating decision of whether to stay or go.

Amiri was born in Iran and still has uncles, aunts and cousins living in the country now under heavy attack from US and Israeli forces.

"I'm quite very upset and disappointed about what is happening right now in the country and with the women's soccer team," she told ABC Sport.

While she was fortunate to leave Afghanistan with her parents and siblings, she said she had enormous sympathy for the six who left their lives and family behind to gain asylum in Australia.

"I have been going through this situation, I understand that it would be very hard when you say bye to your home and you know that you are not going to go back ever," Amiri said.

"It is like saying goodbye to your mum and not being able to see her again.

"When you come to Australia as new person who doesn't know anything about Australia it is very difficult, because the language is different, the culture is different and the environment is quite different from the way we live in Afghanistan.

"I was very young when I came here and the challenges I faced was not having friends … and the fact that I was not able to go to university or continue education because I was not able to speak English."

Amiri said she had a unique perspective to offer the six footballers in Australia, based on her experiences as an athlete and refugee with an Iranian background.

"I totally understand what they are going through right now, as someone who was forced myself to flee a country without a choice," she said.

"I understand that no athlete would ever leave their country or want to live in another country without a reason.

"But I'm very glad that they chose to live in Australia.

"Australia is such an amazing country, where you can be safe and live your life.

"I can only say to them there is a brighter future here and you made the right decision, so just be proud of your choice and keep playing the sport you love."

Support for Iranian footballers

Members of the local Iranian community will help guide the footballers in their transition to Australian life.

Other bodies are stepping in, including the sport's union body, Professional Footballers Australia, and the Brisbane Roar A-League club, after the team members were granted asylum in Queensland.

"For us it's about giving them a sense of community, a sense of a family," Roar chief executive Kaz Patafta said.

"But also, these are professional athletes, so we've got our high-performance centre that's built for our women's program. That's state of the art.

"Of course, we're conscious as well that this may not be at the front of their mind, but it's an opportunity for them to know that there's a club out here that cares about them and is willing to offer them a safe space to continue to train."

Amiri said maintaining a connection to sport was crucial as she embarked on her new life in Australia.

"Playing cricket was the only thing that connected me with the community in Australia," she said.

"I find my sense of belonging through sport and through playing cricket.

"Whenever I was alone and whenever I was missing home I could find a cricket ground and that reminded me who I am.

"When I'm upset, or quite not sure about life, I just grab my bat and go play cricket."

Amiri plays grade cricket in Melbourne and still represents the national side.

She offered this advice for the Iranian footballers.

"If you feel any time that you're missing home, just go find a soccer ground and play," Amiri said.

"I'm sure that soccer ground always will remind you who you are and why started doing this sport."

Amiri is now doing a university degree majoring in journalism and politics, while working as a women's rights advocate, telling her story in schools.

She said she was hoping to contact the Iranian women once they were settled in Australia.

"I have a very deep connection to Iran and I love Iran because I was born there," Amiri said.

"I would love to see them and meet them one day."

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