Multicultural team win Unity Cup
By Tony Salerno
The NSW/ACT multicultural side competed against multicultural sides from Victoria and the Northern Territory in a tournament celebrating sporting and social diversity.
The team from NSW came up trumps in the final, defeating the Bombers All Stars by two goals.
Despite the scoreboard showing NSW as the victors, the real winner of the day was diversity.
AFL NSW/ACT Multicultural Programs Coordinator – GWS Emad Elkheir believes the result was just a small reflection of what the day is about.
”It was great to see a vast number of cultures coming together to play a game of footy,” Elkheir said.
The event is an Australian Federal Police intiative to reduce the relationship barriers between religious and cultural groups in Australia.
NSW/ACT fielded players from the Slater & Gordon GIANTS academy, with players from Muslim, Jewish, African and Indigenous heritages.
The 9-a-side competition provided the young players with an opportunity to showcase their skills, while promoting multiculturalism.
The Cup’s on-field success has led to increased awareness and participation rates for cultural groups.
“A few of the boys were in the team last year and several other players were selected from our Multicultural Athletic Trials held in February,” Elkheir said.
Australia Post AFL multicultural ambassadors David Rodan (Fijian) and Majak Daw (Sudanese) assisted on the day and held a leadership session during the carnival.
2013 was the first time teams representing NSW, the Northern Territory and South Australia competed at the national event, alongside teams who qualified following the Victorian Unity Cup.
The Unity Cup also featured players from the MUJU Peace team, Hume Indigenous Bombers, Bombers All Stars and Newport, plus Team Africa/Kensington, Islamic Council Victoria and Kokoda Diggers.
