By VANESSA VALENZUELA
ASPIRING soccer players will test their skills and show their sportsmanship on and off the field at the Brimbank Cup this weekend.
More than 15 cultures will be represented at this year’s event with a World 11 team taking on the Victoria Police soccer team on Saturday.
The annual sporting tournament aims to build bonds between formal and informal soccer clubs across the municipality.
The competition is supported by Brimbank Council in partnership with Victoria Police and Football Federation Victoria.
Chair of Brimbank City Council John Watson said the goal of the Brimbank Cup is to give social teams the chance to play against well-established clubs.
“This year Keilor Park Soccer Club will host the games, which is supported by Brimbank City Council in partnership with Victoria Police, and Football Federation Victoria,” Mr Watson said.
He said a total of 31 teams have entered the tournament including 24 men’s teams and seven women’s teams.
“It is inspiring to see sport used as a tool to unite our multicultural community and it is exciting to see the coming together of such diverse cultures which is bound to showcase superb soccer skills and some fantastic sport.”
Brimbank Embona Taskforce Sergeant Matthew Illingworth said the tournament was a great way to encourage communication between police and the diverse communities in Brimbank.
“Sport is a common language and interest for many in the Brimbank community and events such as the Brimbank Soccer Cup provide a great opportunity to bring everyone together,” he said.
Football Federation Victoria Game Development Manager Salv Carmusciano said the Brimbank Cup was a great example of what their United Through Football initiative aimed to achieve.
“This is about creating and promoting pathways for underrepresented groups to engage in and experience structured football,” he said.
The 2013 Brimbank Cup kicks off at Keilor Park Soccer Club from 10am on 9-10 February.
For more information about the Brimbank Cup call 9249 4811 or email KateG@brimbank.vic.gov.au
