To foster great relationships between cultural groups in the community, the Western Bulldogs have teamed up with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Essendon Bombers and North Melbourne Kangaroos for the 2011 Unity Cup.
In the fourth annual outing for the Cup, this year sees six diverse community football clubs come together for some friendly sporting rivalry with the ultimate aim of claiming the silverware. The regular sides - the Islamic Information Services Network of Australasia (IISNA), the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV), the Newport Islamic Society, and the Flemington Eritrean Community - will be joined by two new teams - the Kangan Indigenous Football Club and Ajax Football Club.
By uniting for the round robin competition, the Muslim, Jewish and Indigenous teams will promote understanding and respect between their cultures, as well as help their communities to develop a trusting relationship with law enforcement.
The Western Bulldogs will be represented by the Newport Islamic Society and the Ajax Football Club in the two-week tournament. To get the players ready for the on field action, the Bulldogs held a special training session for their nominated teams last week at the Whitten Oval. Players from Melbourne’s Muslim and Jewish community went through their paces in the joint training session under the guidance of Western Bulldogs staff, and with Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police representatives present. Hungry after their big training session, the participants enjoyed halal pies and kosher sausages in each other’s company.
According to Western Bulldogs General Manager, Education and Community Engagement Chris Christoforou, the coming together of the Islamic and Jewish community for training at the Whitten Oval was a special day for the Club. “We’re proud to be represented by the Newport Islamic Society and the Ajax Football Club in the 2011 Unity Cup. It gives us all the opportunity to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures that make up our community, and to live - and play -harmoniously with one another. We wish both Clubs the very best for the tournament.”
The Preliminary Final will be held on Sunday 3 April, with the Grand Final to be held on Sunday 10 April at Windy Hill.
A special Family Day will complement the Unity Cup Grand Final, giving families the chance to mingle and make new friends, plus enjoy a host of fun activities, including face painting, henna tattoos and Auskick clinics. An Emergency Services zone will showcase the Australian Federal Police, the Victoria Police, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and more, while a sausage sizzle and that traditional footy staple, the meat pie, will be available for a gold coin donation.
So show your support for the Western Bulldogs representatives in the 2011 Unity Cup by heading down on one - or both - days.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Date: Sunday 3 April 2011
Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Airport West Football Club, Hansen and Etzel Reserves, Etzel Street, Airport West
GRAND FINAL AND FAMILY DAY
Date: Sunday 10 April 2011
Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Windy Hill, Napier Street, Essendon
For more information about the Unity Cup, please contact Nish Moses from the Western Bulldogs nish.moses@westernbulldogs.com.au.
