Festival of Nations: IC11
Footballers from all corners of the globe will descend on Blacktown International Sportspark this Saturday to kick off the International Cup.
To coincide with the opening day of the tournament will be the Festival of Nations. A free community event celebrating the 19 nations competing in IC11.
The festival will feature activities including cultural food stalls, face painters, jumping castle, kids’ clinics (from 9.30am – 10.30am) and all the football action. All of the action starts at 11am.
This year’s IC11 will involve 18 teams in the men’s division: Canada, China, Denmark, East Timor, Fiji, France, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Japan, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peace Team (comprising of both Israeli and Palestinian players), Sweden, South Africa, Tonga and USA.
It is the fourth International Cup and four nations will make their debut; East Timor, Fiji, France, and Tonga. For the first time five women’s teams will also participate; Canada, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, USA and a combined Australian multicultural and Indigenous team.
Former Sydney Swans captain and premiership player Brett Kirk is the International Cup ambassador. He is looking forward to introducing the nations to Sydney while at the Festival of Nations.
“I’ve met many of the participants during my six month voyage around the world and I’ve got an insight to their passion for Australian football.
“With over 800 players and officials taking part in the carnival, this will be the biggest and most exciting International Cup yet.
“We look forward to welcoming the nations, watching them compete and experience the role Australian football plays in bringing cultures together,” Brett said.
No expatriate Australians are eligible to play in the International Cup. Teams are comprised solely of amateurs who must be nationals of the country they represent. All players must have lived the majority of the years aged between 10 and 16 as a citizen of their nation.
Previous International Cup winners are; Ireland (2002), New Zealand (2005) and Papua New Guinea (2008).
