The puff piece

Same information as the previous post, but with bonus colour and movement

Sports for Change, an organisation entirely run by volunteers, runs a number of fundraisers and events to benefit developing communities both locally and internationally. One such event is their Community Festival, which aims to raise awareness for their projects while also promoting the ideas of tolerance, respect and appreciation for the different cultural communities present in Australia today.

This year’s festival, the third edition of this event, was held in idyllic conditions last Saturday at Clifton Park in Brunswick.  The day featured a much expanded football tournament; almost double the size of the original competition, highlighting the growing public awareness and interest in the event. The teams competing represented their cultural communities, giving the day a sort of World Cup-style air. The playing styles and ability of the teams were as varied as the cultural communities that they came from; but participation, not winning, was the idea of the day.

However you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise watching the tournament final between the Irish and Chinese teams who, it’s fair to say, were taking the tournament a bit more seriously than their competitors. Resplendent in their Barcelona and Manchester United uniforms respectively, the hard fought contest evoked images of a Champions League final rather than a Saturday afternoon game in the park. The Chinese team emerged triumphant 3-2, perhaps avenging Manchester’s loss to Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League.

But if the tournament brought communities in a slightly adversarial manner, off the pitch teams were brought together in a more celebratory way with food, an outdoor zumba class and an eclectic music selection. Complementing a mix of popular tunes and music from different cultures was live performances from the Brunswick Community Gospel Choir (who operate out of the nearby St John’s Church) and the Ambulance Victoria Pipe Band. Fortunately, this was the only time paramedics were called into action, as the only injuries to come out of the day were some minor bruises and a few cases of sunburn.

 Both dignitaries and members of the general public were fulsome in their praise of Sports for Change and the Community Festival. Local member Jane Garrett labelled all who were involved as winners, while saying the day was “a wonderful event and cause to be part of.”  Many of the players were already excited at the prospect of returning next year, with one player in particular, Shabir, wanting to play next year despite having to travel from Ballarat to make the day. Even members of the local constabulary praised the good community spirit raised through the staging of the event, although controversially joking that an eye had to be kept of the Irish, as they are usually troublemakers.

Fostering closer community ties was the aim of the day, and if the enjoyment of those involved is any indication, that aim was certainly achieved. As Sports for Change believes, sport is a great leveller as it can easily break down cultural and language barriers, while having fun at the same time. It highlights that although we all have different backgrounds and experiences, we do have things in common that we can celebrate. And if we can celebrate things we have in common, then we can also celebrate the things that are different too. If events such as the Community Festival can promote this idea, then perhaps it not unrealistic to think as Nelson Mandela, does that “sport has the power to change the world.”