A typical Melbourne spring morning greeted 120 excited primary school aged students early in term 4 as they embarked on Lois Twohig Reserve in North Dandenong to compete for the annual South East Region Multicultural Cup.
Wooranna Park (North Dandenong), St. Joseph’s (Springvale), River Gum (Hampton Park) and Holy Family (Doveton) primary schools have all participated in the six week AFL Multicultural Program at their respective schools during the year. This program provides multicultural students who have limited knowledge of Australian football with an introduction to the game through football clinics, a basic overview of the rules of the game, match visits to the MCG to see Melbourne Football Club " and the possibility of meeting some of the Demons players.
The South East AFL Multicultural Cup provides these students the opportunity to showcase the many skills they have learnt during the six week AFL Multicultural Program against like schools in a safe, fair, fun yet competitive environment.
Each school provided separate girls and boys teams made up of squads of up to 15 with the main criteria that the players had to either be born overseas or have at least one parent born in another country.
The Country Fire Authority was on hand during the day engaging with the players during their byes in a number of fun " activities along with the memorable opportunity to mount a fire truck and blow the siren.
As the rain cleared after each team played three games the Grand Final " were decided which featured Wooranna Park in both the girls and boys competitions taking on Holy Family and River Gum respectively.
This was a case of the seasoned Wooranna Park who have been involved in the AFL Multicultural Program since 2008 taking on the new kids on the block in which both opponents were participating in their inaugural year of the program.
In the end Wooranna Park took out both competitions in two close well fought out " and will now go on to represent the south east region in the State Multicultural Cup on Wednesday October 23 at Windy Hill.
The South East Juniors, AFL Victoria and Melbourne Football Club would like to thank the Country Fire Authority and their volunteers for making the day a fantastic experience for all the kids. We would also like to congratulate all schools who participated in the South East Region Multicultural Cup and wish Wooranna Park Primary School the best " in the State Multicultural Cup.
Last Modified on 26/11/2013 21:35