On a very cold and rainy day two Western Region schools, Glengala Primary School (girls division) and Sunshine Heights Primary School (boys division), won their respective divisions.
Both schools are members of the Bulldog Friendly Schools Family, and ran the Multicultural Schools Football Program at their school this year.
The concept behind the event was to bring together all winning teams from all five metropolitan regions of Melbourne where the AFL Multicultural Development Officers are based (Central East, North East, North West, South East and Western region).
Each region holds its own Multicultural Schools Cup which gives an opportunity to culturally and linguistically diverse students to play competitive Australian football.
This years' regional boys division winners were Pascoe Vale Primary School, Sunshine Heights PS, Fitzroy PS, St Johns Thomastown PS and Amsleigh PS.
The girls division regional winners were St John Thomastown PS, Fitzroy PS, Glengala PS and Clayton North PS.
AFL Multicultural Programs Coordinator, Nick Hatzoglou, said that the Multicultural Schools Football Program had been a major component of the program delivered to primary schools in Melbourne.
“Australian football is a great way for students to come together from all different cultural backgrounds and link as one. The nature of the game promotes reliance on team work and encouragement. It is a terrific vehicle to bring people together,” he said.
There were over 100 children from grades 5/6 representing nine primary schools at the event.
The highlight of the day was the manner in which students played their matches.
It was absolutely great to see the sportsmanship, leadership, respect, teamwork, fairness and harmony on display.
These values are a core element of the Multicultural Schools Football Program delivered by the MDO's to schools in their regions. This year the MDO's have reached in excess of 100 primary schools and 10000 children.
The huge success of the inaugural event will ensure its continuity in coming years.
The AFL Multicultural Program would like to thank the AFL, AFL Victoria, the Victorian Government, City West Water, Richmond FC, Hawthorn FC, Collingwood FC, Essendon FC and Western Bulldogs FC.
