By Alex Karavas
Football is about togetherness.
It’s about people of all nationalities, beliefs, and genders coming together for the joy of sport.
While multiculturalism is thriving in the western region on a regular basis, the WRFL will join the wider football community to celebrate the AFL’s Multicultural Round from August 7-9.
The Asian Cup will be in full swing again this year, as the curtain raiser to the Western derby VFL game between Williamstown vs Footscray, which will be held on Sunday August 9 at Burbank Oval.
Two Asian teams in the Western All- Stars and the Southern Dragons, will battle it out for the Asian Cup which has been a fierce tradition for the last three years.
In their first three years of competition, the Southern Dragons have won the SFL’s Division Three title, and despite having a break from competition this year, will be filled with immense talent this weekend.
The Western All-Stars is a community football team made up of predominantly Vietnamese players, who are committed to growing the game and creating a pathway for all backgrounds into local western region clubs.
AFL Victoria Football Development Manager, Tony Nguyen, said that the event was a good way for both players and local clubs to embrace each other.
“The Asian cup is really about breaking down the barriers for highly talented Asian players who don’t have the belief of joining a local football team and showcasing their talent.
“As a result, the Braybrook Sporting Club has recruited four to five players over the journey so it’s great to see that transition of players back into the community.
“We want people to embrace football, and embrace one another, which is what these programs are aimed to do.”
On the other side of the western region, the Werribee Football Club is doing their part to celebrate our vast diversity with a dedicated Multicultural Day held at their next home match against Footscray at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday August 30.
With many different nationalities represented in the Wyndham area, Werribee Football Club Community Development ambassador, Majok Ngong, said the club is dedicated in bringing the community together through its cultural diversity.
“Werribee is very heavily involved in the community with our school programs and it’s something we are passionate about and engaging with people.
“This will be the fifth year that we will be hosting a multicultural day, and I guess it’s all about celebrating different cultures around Wyndham.”
Ngong himself comes from a Sudanese background so for him to see the club so heavily involved in multiculturalism “is an honour for me and creates a sense of belonging for us within the community.”
With many successful AFL players coming from a range of diverse ethnicities, people across the west should encourage others to get involved in the various multicultural events this weekend, in order to not only bridge the gap, but to also embrace one another’s company.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Werribee FC Multicultural Day or CLICK HERE for details on the Asian Cup.
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Last Modified on 05/08/2015 16:19