Win takes Western Tigers to second on ladder
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- Published on Saturday, 01 January 2011 00:00
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The Sunshine Heights Western Tigers, a soccer team of mostly Sudanese refugees, finished second out of nine on the ladder in the Football Federation’s Men’s Metropolitan League North-West after defeating Keilor Wolves 9-0 in the finals on Saturday September 17 at Green Gully Reserve.
Captain William Deng had an outstanding game capped off by a solo run that resulted in a goal going coast to coast. (See below for match details).
It’s been a meteoric rise for the Western Tigers, one of Melbourne’s newest soccer teams. Until this season, the Sudanese players just met up for casual games in different parks in the West as they couldn’t afford to pay the costs involved in joining existing clubs.
The Sunshine Heights Cricket Club took the Western Tigers under its wing and, with some help from Brimbank City Council and United through Football, a program run by the Football Federation Victoria, the players were registered and fitted out.
Michael Apout, Team Manager, said was very happy with the progress the team had shown both on and off the field.
“A big thank to the Brimbank City Council, Sunshine Heights Cricket Club, Sunshine Heights Junior Soccer Club and the Football Federation Victoria for having faith in us.”
Chris Hatzoglou, President of the Sunshine Heights Cricket Club and a player in reserve team, said there where many highlights this season, none greater than the camaraderie shown between all the players from many different cultural backgrounds.
“The players have got to know and respect each. Playing together breaks down any barriers that exist. It’s been an enriching experience for us all.”
Mr Hatzoglou says the Western Tigers have exceeded all expectations.
“The Western Tigers are exceptionally fast, have great ball skills and bring a new flamboyance to the game - and I just love the way they get together for a celebratory dance when they score a goal,” he said.
“Getting a Sudanese soccer team on board has been one of the best things our club has ever done. A lot of us come from migrant families and were keen to ensure that some of the negative experiences of our parents weren’t repeated. I urge other sporting bodies and community organisations in Brimbank to consider reaching out to refugees and newly-arrived migrants.”
Player/coach David Nyuol Vincent had been fairly confident of a win in the last match of the season.
“We’ve underestimated our capabilities. It’s the first time we’ve played at this sort of level. Before, we played very casually so it was very exciting to win games in the official competition and even sit at the top of the ladder for a number of weeks,” he said.
Winning, Mr Vincent argues, has been much more than a game for the Western Tigers.
“Winning encourages people to respect us and helps counter some of the negative perceptions of the Sudanese community. The effect on the Sudanese and broader African communities has been extraordinary. We just wish more would come to our games – it would be so good for morale,” he said.
“In the not so distant future, we’ll see some of the players reaching professional levels. Meanwhile, the biggest challenge is giving every one of our 25 registered players a game.”
Peter Lewinsky, Brimbank’s Chair of Administrators, regretted he was unable to attend Saturday’s game but said he was barracking from a distance.
“Sometimes it’s the little things you do in local government that can make a big difference,” he said.
“Brimbank City Council has been delighted to help the Western Tigers get registered and kitted out and organise the official launch back in June. The sum – around $6000 all up – was modest but has helped turn the soccer playing dreams of new Sudanese residents into reality. The Western Tigers are burning bright.
“It’s such good news for a community which has been through civil war and incredible hardship back in Africa and is still doing it tough here. Success on the field in sports-mad Melbourne paves the way for success in many other fields.
“I can see it forging marvellous relationships between the Sudanese community and the broader Australian community. With so much talent, Sudanese players could reshape the game in Australia and could ultimately bolster the international competitiveness of the Socceroos.”
Sunshine Heights Cricket Club has partnered with the Sunshine Heights Junior Soccer Club and the Western Tigers to introduce young Sudanese boys to soccer. The Club was the big winner at the 2011 Brimbank Sports Awards in April, taking out awards for Community Club of the Year and Club Management of the Year. One of its members, 14 year Sudanese cricket player, Akat Mayoum, was also runner-up in the Junior Athlete of the Year Award.
Football Federation Victoria has invested over $110,000 into United Through Football and has assisted 40 community clubs and over 3,000 newly arrived people.