ECWA works with other organizations to manage a Soccer program for young men.
The Equatoria United FC team is registered with the Blacktown Workers Club and is a member of the Blacktown District Soccer Club Association (BDSFA). Soccer practice is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Francis Park, Richmond Road, Blacktown. The team competes on Sundays at Ray Marshall Reserve, South Granville.
The team plays in the Blacktown District Tournament, the Sudanese Soccer Tournament (auspice by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)), and in the Boronia Multicultural Competition.
As part of a wider commitment to Australian society and to other communities, the team also participates in one-off friendly games—away and at home. These games are with other new and emerging communities and with an Iraqi community team, a Newcastle team and with Wollongong (Franco FC).
Outcomes
Sudanese young people make connections with each other and different communities in the Blacktown LGA, which prevents isolation and alienation. Young people are involved in the community, are mentored, can feel part of the Blacktown area, and can broaden their outlook by traveling to places such as Wollongong and Wagga Wagga for matches.
The program gives Sudanese young people opportunities to stay off the streets and away from the train station where violence and interactions with the police can occur. The young people keep fit, and increasingly more people of all ages such as parents and elders are attending to improve their fitness!
Every Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., everyone comes together for social events to monitor how the games, tournaments, training, logistics, and attendance levels are going, and to discuss future plans and announcements. Younger kids are also being mentored by older people and are being trained.
Acknowledgments: Until September 2011, Mr. Phil Scott, Holroyd Council, and Wendy Leagues supported the team through the Community Development Support Expenditure (CDSE) Scheme. The project was named, “Promoting Fitness and Healthy Living for Young Africans”.
