UPDATE ...
Afghan Dandenong are the champions of our 2017 Multicultural Soccer Tournament.
The Dandenong team defeated Karen Culture Social Support Foundation in a skillful and physical final at Truscott Reserve in Eaglehawk on Saturday.
"Many people stayed for the final games because it was beautiful to witness such skill and athleticism," said our Settlement Services manager Martine Street.
Huge thank you to all the teams who supported the event, Eaglehawk Soccer Club for help with venue and the Department of Premier and Cabinet for funding.
See you all next year!
EARLIER ...
Famous soccer names such as Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar will be on show in Eaglehawk on Saturday.
Sadly, it won’t be these star players in the flesh but their famous jerseys adoringly worn by soccer enthusiasts representing a host of teams taking part in the annual Bendigo Community Health Services Multi-Cultural Soccer Tournament at Truscott Reserve.
Cultural diversity and relationships manager Kaye Graves said the tournament promoted multi-cultural inclusion, social cohesion and raised men’s health awareness.
“The aim of the event is to bring many people from different cultures and faiths and those of refugee background together,” Ms Graves said.
“Many of the players have well-trained soccer skills because they have spent years playing the game in the camps before coming to a new home in Australia.”
Seventeen teams will contest the BCHS Multi-Cultural Soccer Tournament this year.
Karen and Afghan community teams from Bendigo, Dandenong, Echuca and Swan Hill will take the field alongside Bendigo community teams representing the City of Greater Bendigo, Victoria Police, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-Operative, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and Bendigo Old Gold.
Ms Graves said the tournament also provided a good opportunity to build skills within the refugee communities.
“We build the capacity of local Karen and Afghan community members by teaching them the steps needed to manage outdoor catering by buying, preparing, pricing and selling their traditional foods for players and spectators on the day.
“In the past we have also had members of the refugee community get their referee certificate to look after matches on the day.”
Ms Graves said the Eaglehawk Soccer Club and president Robert Trew had been wonderful supporters of the tournament in providing a venue and marking the fields.
A Ballarat youth team won the tournament last year with a Karen team proudly wearing Chelsea Football Club tops taking out the event in 2015.
A League team Melbourne City provided coaches for a soccer clinic last year.
The Multi-Cultural Soccer Tournament is hosted by the Bendigo Community Health Services settlement services team and funded by the multi-cultural affairs and social cohesion division of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The first matches on Saturday kick off at 9am with spectators welcome to enjoy the action.
For more information about the soccer tournament call our Settlement Services team on 5448 1600.
To learn more about Bendigo Community Health Services and our services visit www.bchs.com.au