Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott today launched the AFL Sports and Social Inclusion program which kicked off with the Unity Cup at the Kensington Community Festival.
The Unity Cup brings teams from a range of religious and cultural backgrounds and police clubs together, to play football.
The Cup encourages young people from migrant and refugee communities to join the Australian rules community and affords them the opportunity to display their football skills, celebrate their diversity and stand against racial and religious intolerance.
Celebrated during Cultural Diversity Week, the game will field 16 male and 10 female multicultural teams.
As a proud partner of the AFL, the Andrews Labor Government has provided $200,000 towards the AFL Sports and Social Inclusion program which helps build young people’s connection to the community through a range of programs at local football club level.
Research undertaken by La Trobe University in 2014 found that football clubs deliver social, health and community benefits to people and to their collective communities. It also found that football clubs reach 10 people for every one player at the club.
The AFL Sports and Social Inclusion program also consists of the AFL’s Community Club Cultural Education program and Regional Youth Programs, which provide local football clubs with cultural awareness training and support to engage with new communities and offer pathways for culturally diverse youth into elite AFL talent programs.
The Kensington Community Festival and Unity Cup will take place at JJ Holland Park in Kensington from 9am to 4pm.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott
“Football is a sport that welcomes everyone - regardless of their ethnicity, faith, sexuality, gender, or age.”
“Today’s Unity Cup removes language barriers and cultural difference by bringing many diverse communities together for a game of footy.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support the AFL Sports and Social Inclusion program which strengthens our diverse communities and helps create a more open, inclusive and harmonious society.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020