The Western Bulldogs successfully hosted the 3rd annual Western Region ESL Cup at Whitten Oval, West Footscray on the 21st of June 2010.  It was the perfect day for football and we saw 6 schools and more than 100 Secondary School students (males) battle it out for the 2010 ESL Cup. 

The event looked to promote the game of Australian Football to newly arrived students in Australia, in particular those that are studying English as a Second Language.

The key objective was to bring together talented athletes from newly arrived communities within the Western region and give them the opportunity to participate in Australian Football.

The ESL Cup provided students with their first taste of Australian Football, and we hope that they continue their development by joining Western Region Football League (WRFL) clubs to achieve physical, social, educational and health benefits.

The final placings for the 2010 ESL Cup was:

1    Sunshine College
2    Mackillop College
3    Werribee Secondary College
4    Galvin Park English Language School
5    St Albans Secondary
6    Western English Language School

A ‘Best and Fairest’ Trophy was award to the most outstanding player of the tournament. The award was given to: William Siale from Galvin Park English Language School.

A ‘Harmony Award’ was also awarded to the player that demonstrated sportsmanship, teamwork and fairplay throughout the tournament. The Harmony Award was given to: Daniel James from St Albans Secondary.

Both awards were decided by SEDA representatives.

The involvement of AFL Victoria’s SEDA (Sports Education Development Australia) also provided their students with the great experience. They assisted with umpiring and to coordinate the carnival.

There were representatives from The Sunshine Kangaroos Junior Football Club, the Western Jets, AFL Victoria, AFL and even the Western Bulldogs Recruiting Manager there to witness some of the talent on show, and from all reports the natural athletic ability shown by some of the participants was quite eye opening, hopefully we will see some of them running around in Red, White and Blue one day!

Sunshine College won the 2010 ESL Cup, nudging out Mackillop College by percentage, with both Schools winning an equal amount of games. All games were extremely competitive and any of the 6 schools could have won the tournament.

The tournament was a great success with all students thoroughly enjoying the day, and even a few already inquiring about how to join up to their local WRFL club!

The most talented players will be invited down to Western Jets training.