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Unity Cup this Sunday

  • Friday, March 23 2012 @ 11:23 am ACDT
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General News

The fifth annual Unity Cup will be held in Melbourne this Sunday. The Round Robin tournament aims to promote community understanding and social inclusion. Teams travel from around the country and represent various ethnic and religious groups.

A joint press release from the AFP, AFL Victoria and Essendon, North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn Football Clubs can be read below.

Unity Cup to kick off in Melbourne

Australian Rules Football (AFL) clubs have put their rivalries aside and united with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for the fifth annual Unity Cup in Melbourne. The Unity Cup is a family day and round-robin competition that will include teams from Muslim, Jewish, African, South East Asian and Indigenous communities. For the first time teams from Perth, Adelaide and Sydney will travel to Melbourne for the competition.

This year, the Hawthorn Hawks will join the AFP, AFL Victoria, Essendon Bombers, North Melbourne Kangaroos and Western Bulldogs to promote community understanding and social inclusion within Melbourne’s culturally diverse communities.

AFL Victoria General Manager Grant Williams said that AFL Victoria is a proud program supporter of the Unity Cup - which will be played under AFL 9's rules.

“We are very proud to have Bachar Houli present the winning medals in his role as Australia Post AFL Multicultural Ambassador, being a player who has come through the AFL Victoria talent pathway through our TAC Cup competition,” Mr Williams said.

AFP National Manager of Counter Terrorism Steve Lancaster said the AFP’s Community Liaison Teams provided opportunities for the AFP to be involved in Unity Cup to strengthen relationships with the community and foster greater trust in law enforcement.

“Sport has the ability to break down barriers and in this instance acts as an excellent opportunity for members of the community to see that police officers are just like them, living and working as part of their community,” Assistant Commissioner Lancaster said.

“Unity Cup brings people together to make a statement against cultural, racial and religious intolerance and provides the perfect opportunity for multicultural youth to showcase their football skills while celebrating their diversity.”

The event will begin this Sunday (25 March 2012) at JJ Holland Park in Kensington, Victoria, with matches to kick off at 9am.

Other activities on Sunday will include player autographs, BBQ and kids activity area.