Published Friday, 06 June, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Thousands expected to attend Queensland’s Largest Multicultural Football Tournament
Queensland’s largest multicultural football tournament is being held in Brisbane this Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Police and Sport Minister Judy Spence said the tournament is a joint initiative between the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Ethnic Community Council of Queensland (ECCQ), aimed at promoting cultural understanding and creating safer communities through sport.
“This excellent initiative developed by local police in Brisbane’s south has grown into a huge event, that is helping to create community harmony and ensure Queensland remains a great place to live,” Ms Spence said.
“Since the inaugural QPS/ECCQ Football Tournament in 2005, entries have grown from 8 teams to 32, with this year’s competitors representing a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
“Up to 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day event this Sunday June 8 and Monday June 9 – with families invited to enjoy multicultural performances, food stalls and children’s rides ahead of the grand final on Monday afternoon.
“The success of this tournament is a testament to the dedication of its organiser, Metropolitan South Region Cross Cultural Liaison Officer Sergeant Jim Bellos, who initiated the first tournament in 2005.
“The inaugural tournament was seen as a positive way to involve young people, particularly refugees and immigrants from African nations, in a relationship building activity with police and members of other cultural groups.
“Sergeant Bellos’ commitment to this cause is to be commended. He is an excellent example of the callibre of officers we have working in the Queensland Police Service.”
Member for Inala, Annastacia Palaszczuk said it will be great to see players come from all over Queensland for the event in her local area.
“This tournament and the festivities organised around it will highlight the wonderful tapestry of cultures we have in this area and across the state. Multicultural sporting events, such as this, help bring our communities together, encouraging cultural harmony and understanding.”
Sergeant Bellos said the tournament is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to mix in the name of cultural exchange and sport.
"This event gives young Australians and their families the opportunity to mix with others, who like them, are from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds," Sergeant Bellos said.
“These groups showcase their backgrounds and get to know each other at what has quickly become a successful and harmonious community event.”
Sunday's qualifying games will see 32 teams play for a place in Monday's finals.
Teams include: Somalia, Lebanon, Korea, Afghanistan, Africa, India, Africa United, Ethiopia, Fiji, Japan, Sudan, Botswana, China, Yugoslavia, Congo, Cambodia, Hmong team, Burundi, Hong Kong, El Salvador, Greece, England, Vietnam, Sierra Leonie, Zimbabwe, Philippines, Macedonia, Scotland, Karen (Burma), Australia, Qld Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Football team, and the Queensland Police Service.
Exhibition matches on Monday between four multicultural Brisbane schools will be a highlight of the tournament.
The tournament is supported by Queensland Roar, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Anti-Discrimination Commission of Queensland, Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Queensland Police Credit Union, Crime Stoppers, Brisbane City Council, ethnic media, and local businesses.
Sunday's qualifying games will be played at the Queensland Lions Football Club in Pine Road, Richlands; at Brisbane Force in Freeman Road, Inala; and at the Darra Soccer Club in Archerfield Road, Darra. Qualifying games from 9am, will continue into the evening. Monday's festival and finals day will be at the Richlands grounds from 9am. The multicultural interschool football challenge will kick off at 2.30pm followed by the grand final of the ECCQ/QPS Cup kicking off at 4pm.
Note: To arrange an interview with Sergeant Jim Bellos, please contact Police Media.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6172 Police Media – 3015 2444
Police and Sport Minister Judy Spence said the tournament is a joint initiative between the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Ethnic Community Council of Queensland (ECCQ), aimed at promoting cultural understanding and creating safer communities through sport.
“This excellent initiative developed by local police in Brisbane’s south has grown into a huge event, that is helping to create community harmony and ensure Queensland remains a great place to live,” Ms Spence said.
“Since the inaugural QPS/ECCQ Football Tournament in 2005, entries have grown from 8 teams to 32, with this year’s competitors representing a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
“Up to 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day event this Sunday June 8 and Monday June 9 – with families invited to enjoy multicultural performances, food stalls and children’s rides ahead of the grand final on Monday afternoon.
“The success of this tournament is a testament to the dedication of its organiser, Metropolitan South Region Cross Cultural Liaison Officer Sergeant Jim Bellos, who initiated the first tournament in 2005.
“The inaugural tournament was seen as a positive way to involve young people, particularly refugees and immigrants from African nations, in a relationship building activity with police and members of other cultural groups.
“Sergeant Bellos’ commitment to this cause is to be commended. He is an excellent example of the callibre of officers we have working in the Queensland Police Service.”
Member for Inala, Annastacia Palaszczuk said it will be great to see players come from all over Queensland for the event in her local area.
“This tournament and the festivities organised around it will highlight the wonderful tapestry of cultures we have in this area and across the state. Multicultural sporting events, such as this, help bring our communities together, encouraging cultural harmony and understanding.”
Sergeant Bellos said the tournament is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to mix in the name of cultural exchange and sport.
"This event gives young Australians and their families the opportunity to mix with others, who like them, are from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds," Sergeant Bellos said.
“These groups showcase their backgrounds and get to know each other at what has quickly become a successful and harmonious community event.”
Sunday's qualifying games will see 32 teams play for a place in Monday's finals.
Teams include: Somalia, Lebanon, Korea, Afghanistan, Africa, India, Africa United, Ethiopia, Fiji, Japan, Sudan, Botswana, China, Yugoslavia, Congo, Cambodia, Hmong team, Burundi, Hong Kong, El Salvador, Greece, England, Vietnam, Sierra Leonie, Zimbabwe, Philippines, Macedonia, Scotland, Karen (Burma), Australia, Qld Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Football team, and the Queensland Police Service.
Exhibition matches on Monday between four multicultural Brisbane schools will be a highlight of the tournament.
The tournament is supported by Queensland Roar, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Anti-Discrimination Commission of Queensland, Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Queensland Police Credit Union, Crime Stoppers, Brisbane City Council, ethnic media, and local businesses.
Sunday's qualifying games will be played at the Queensland Lions Football Club in Pine Road, Richlands; at Brisbane Force in Freeman Road, Inala; and at the Darra Soccer Club in Archerfield Road, Darra. Qualifying games from 9am, will continue into the evening. Monday's festival and finals day will be at the Richlands grounds from 9am. The multicultural interschool football challenge will kick off at 2.30pm followed by the grand final of the ECCQ/QPS Cup kicking off at 4pm.
Note: To arrange an interview with Sergeant Jim Bellos, please contact Police Media.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6172 Police Media – 3015 2444