Sgt Matt Illingworth and Jonathan Thea will be on opposing teams in the Brimbank Cup on Saturday. 76558 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
THE inaugural Brimbank Cup kicks off this Saturday at Keilor Lodge Reserve in Taylors Lakes, with 27 local soccer clubs – 21 male and six female – competing.
A highlight of the tournament will be an exhibition match between the Victoria Police Soccer Team and an All African Team at noon on Saturday. Other attractions include African food, a barbecue, helicopter fly-bys and performances from the Victoria Police Band.
Brimbank City Council chief adminstrator Peter Lewinsky will present awards to the male and female winning teams and runners-up from 3pm on Sunday.
“Brimbank is the United Nations when it comes to soccer with players, like our residents more generally, hailing from all around the world,” Lewinsky said.
“We’re delighted that every soccer club in Brimbank bar one will be competing for the inaugural Brimbank Cup. This level of grassroots support augurs well for the long-term success of this initiative to put soccer more firmly on the local map.”
The tournament was built on the shoulders of last year’s African Nations Tournament but has been broadened to embrace all Brimbank soccer clubs.
Mr Lewinsky said the tournament may also help those who only play casually find a club.
“The weekend tournament will do a lot to build new relationships between informal groups and established clubs.
“The Brimbank Cup is the perfect opportunity for players in these informal networks to catch the eye of the many talent spotters from established clubs. Most of these players are African but there are two new teams – one from the Burmese Chin community and a mixed Chin/Vietnamese side.”
The tournament was organised by Brimbank Council, Victoria Police and Sydenham Park Soccer Club.
