Maribyrnong Refugee Week kicked into gear today when two teams of newly arrived Australians took centre stage at Whitten Oval.
The LeasePlan Western Bulldogs hosted a game between students from AMES (Adult Multicultural Educational Services) in Footscray and their Werribee counterparts. Students from both teams have been in Australia for less than six months.
Strong winds did nothing to deter the player’s enthusiasm as they showed promising skills on the Bulldogs training ground. In a close contest AMES Werribee held on to win by a point.
The match was the culmination of an eight week introductory football course conducted at the AMES facilities. The Western Bulldogs Multicultural Schools Program was delivered to students during Term 2 as part of the Bulldogs Friendly Schools Program.
Western Bulldogs Engaged Communities Coordinator, Kiemi Lai, said sport can play a key role in welcoming new arrivals into Australia.
The LeasePlan Western Bulldogs hosted a game between students from AMES (Adult Multicultural Educational Services) in Footscray and their Werribee counterparts. Students from both teams have been in Australia for less than six months.
Strong winds did nothing to deter the player’s enthusiasm as they showed promising skills on the Bulldogs training ground. In a close contest AMES Werribee held on to win by a point.
The match was the culmination of an eight week introductory football course conducted at the AMES facilities. The Western Bulldogs Multicultural Schools Program was delivered to students during Term 2 as part of the Bulldogs Friendly Schools Program.
Western Bulldogs Engaged Communities Coordinator, Kiemi Lai, said sport can play a key role in welcoming new arrivals into Australia.
“We have been able to run this event through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Settlement Grants Program and the AFL Multicultural Schools Program. Both programs play a pivotal role in allowing the Western Bulldogs to engage and embrace new arrivals into our community.”
“Refugee Week is an ideal setting to showcase and educate the wider public about the important contribution refugees have made or can make to our club and our community” said Lai, who is on organising committee for Maribyrnong Refugee Week.
Already, as a feature of their Maribyrnong Refugee Week activities, the club welcomed 59 new Australian citizens into their new Elite Learning Centre on Saturday at an Australian Citizenship Ceremony. The ceremony was run in conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Refugee week will continue over the coming days, concluding with a Blue Light Disco at the Braybrook Community Centre on Saturday night.
