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Losing the first couple of games and with only four committed players, it was feared that the season could end sharply. Within time, however, the word had spread and by season's completion a total of 17 players had registered and the team had finished runners up in the grand final.
Nicola, a Wonthaggi resident for 15 months, and a talented soccer player, had played the world game in his homeland from a very young age. Now a father of four young boys, and husband to Cecilia, he has embraced playing in the local competition. “Playing soccer keeps me active and I haven't played for a long time” explained Nicola. “Each Wednesday, my friend Jacob and I pick up players from their homes and take them to soccer” says Nicola.
Playing in an adjoining town has allowed the group to access other facilities as well as making their mark in the wider community.
Encouraging the group to play was the idea of GippSport Program Coordinator Mark Lindsay. “I understood that it would take time to engage these young men in local sport, but to reach the level of success we have so quickly was remarkable. The amount of talent on show each week is fantastic,” says Mark.
Keeping the project alive and interesting to the participants is providing challenges previously not faced. Ongoing fees and access to a reasonable transport service are hurdles the group needs to overcome in order to become involved in a community sport. “Accessing funds through a Bass Coast Shire Community Grant enabled the team to be formed, but keeping costs to a bare minimum and providing a friendly, welcoming environment is essential in order to engage people from a refugee background,” Mark continued.
GippSport, funded by VicHealth to deliver the Participation in Community Sport and Active Recreation program (PICSAR), has been involved with the Sudanese community for almost a year. Family barbeques with a light soccer match, scheduled at a suitable time to enable a greater attendance, were held to first introduce the program. Involving many partners including Local Government, Rural Aid for Refugees, YMCA, Community House and Church Groups gave a complete community feel to events. “Engaging people to play a game they love is one thing, but to gain their trust is another,” says Mark of his plans to further involve the Sudanese into community sport.
Encouraging people to become further involved with local sporting clubs and organizations is the next step. “Under the Supporting Country Sport Program, funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria, we are hoping to work with local clubs to develop a more inclusive and supportive environment. It is hoped that people from a refugee background will be made welcome to access these sporting activities.”
Wonthaggi has a population of approximately 9000, is situated in the Bass Coast Shire and is home to approximately eighty newly arrived refugees. Most members of this group are young men casually employed by the local meat works. While some families have started moving to the area, most of the men live in shared private accommodation with a range of living arrangements. “Involving the majority of them is difficult as many travel to Melbourne to visit family and friends on weekends,” says Mark of the group's ability to commit to a regular weekend competition.
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Melanie Mumford, a volunteer with the Rural Aid for Refugees endorses the men's involvement in community sport. “I have never seen the men so relaxed and happy,” explains elanie. “We had arranged surfing and other activities, but due to weather and other reasons, were unable to follow through. Soccer however has been a great lifter for the community and the whole group is buzzing.”
“Sport is extremely important in the early settlement of refugees and is great way to build a connection with the local community. It also provides a genuine opportunity to establish a sense of belonging as well as providing an excellent tool for which to build understanding, cultural awareness and acceptance within our community,” concluded an enthusiastic Mark Lindsay.
Contact information:
Mark Lindsay
GippSport
PO Box 742
Wonthaggi 3995
(03) 5672 4999