An initiative by the Canterbury Bulldogs NRL club to promote social inclusion through the distribution of memberships for refugee families and others from disadvantaged backgrounds is set to be the subject of a groundbreaking study by Western Sydney University.

Omar and Hanadi Sabouni and their children Reanna, 4, and Mohamed, 2, are among the first recipients of 500 family memberships for the 2016 NRL season, which are being provided by the club's membership sponsor Brydens Lawyers, after research by the Bulldogs identified social inclusion as one of the most critical issues in the area.

Bulldogs player Josh Jackson with Omar Sabouni, his wife Hanadi and children Reanna, 4, and Mohamed, 2, from Liverpool. The family was presented with a family club membership for 2016. Credit:Dallas Kilponen

With a high percentage of fans from Arabic, or other non-English speaking backgrounds, Canterbury officials were told that many felt isolated but being a member of the club gave them a sense of belonging. The club believes that attending matches will help refugee families to fit more comfortably into the community.

"When families start to go to football matches they sit in the same spot and they meet other people because they are united in their support for a team," Bulldogs general manager of community Fayssal Sari said. "It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, or from Sudan or Syria, sport unifies people."