Scoring goals for community
When Anthony Reynolds scored for Banksia United Nyoongar Soccer Team last Saturday, it was the finest moment of their debut match at Butterworth Park, Koondoola. They didn’t beat their opponents, Edmund Rice Glory, but that didn’t matter. Banksia were proud to have taken the field against players who come from communities, such as Sudanese, with a strong background in the sport. Glory scored six and Banksia learned a lot.
Among the spectators were Janine Freeman, MLA for Nollamara, and Luke Simpkins, federal Member for Cowan. Both welcomed the innovation of introducing young people to a sport through which they would make new connections.
After the match everyone enjoyed a sausage sizzle at the park.
“We have boys and girls in the squad,” says the team coach, Joe Moniodis, Youth Programs Coordinator at the Edmund Rice Centre in Mirrabooka (ERCM). “For coaching and organising we’ve had wonderful help from young African volunteers living in the Mirrabooka area.”
Banksia United, based in Banksia Grove, just north of Joondalup, was formed in May this year to offer local young people and their families the opportunity to be part of a team, using sport as a way to foster leadership abilities and build relationships.
The project is a partnership between ERCM and Moorditj Yarning, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific program of Relationships Australia WA.
The soccer team “provides a positive alternative to the many negative influences that can impact on young people,” says Joe.
“We were delighted that people came along to support us on the day. The program aims to introduce multicultural understanding and address negative stereotypes. The African coaches and volunteers have extensive experience in soccer training and have built amazing rapport with the players and their extended families.”
Community and Government support comes from the Department of Sport and Recreation,
City of Wanneroo, Football West, ERC Youth Leadership Group Media Team, the Obbo Community Development Association (a Sudanese group which has provided helpers for the project) and Neerabup Primary School, as well as Rotary Wanneroo and Banksia Grove Community Development.
For information, contact Joe Moniodis on 9440 0625 or 0417 923 873