Multicultural students showcase footy skillsThursday, October 11, 2018 - 3:09 PM

More than 300 people recently flocked to Alan Edwards Oval in Kardinya to witness students from North Lake Senior Campus and Cyril Jackson Senior Campus Intensive English Centres (IEC) compete in the IEC Cup.

Participants (Year 11 and 12) took part in the WA Football Commission’s (WAFC) Welcome to AFL program throughout the school year in the lead up to the IEC Cup.

The Cup event saw a 12-a-side female match unfold between the two schools. North Lake SC came out on top with a 2.2 (14) – 1.4 (10) win over Cyril Jackson SC.

North Lake secured a win over Cyril Jackson in the boys 15-a-side match.

Head of IEC North Lake Sean Bruce-Cullen said the students really loved learning the skills and tactics of the game.

“More than half of the students had never played a game of footy before the WAFC clinics, and they really loved learning the fundamentals of the game in a fun environment,” he said.

“Learning from professional coaches and from students who had participated last year was a great motivation and playing in the annual match against Cyril Jackson was a real thrill for all participants.

A number of students had grown up in remote villages in their own countries, and therefore had never played in an organised sports team of any kind before, so just wearing the uniform and representing their school meant a great deal to them.

“Overall it was an amazing day, and impressive that both schools were able to field women's and men's teams,” he said.

The WAFC will now work closely with the IEC participants to help them transition into club football.

Click here for the story of North Lake Senior campus students Michael Hlungupi (Zimbabwe), John Kuch (South Sudan), Jonathan Gakona (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Patrick Jerome (DRC), James Moses (South Sudan) and Mohammad Ali (Afghanistan)