MULTICULTURAL soccer players took part in an exhibition match against the WA Paralympics Committee on the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace last week.
Edmund Rice Centre hosted the event at Mirrabooka Mosque in partnership with WA Police, Football West and the City of Stirling as part of its Common Goal project.
A Department of Sport and Recreation spokeswoman said sport was a good tool to engage with multicultural youth.
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“By engaging through sport, it’s a great way to help young people engage in wider community participation,” she said.
“As we know, sport is great for your physical and mental wellbeing but it’s also important to help communities connect and young people connect to their communities, especially if they are new to the country.
“Being part of a team playing sport is one place where young people can develop a strong sense community, pride and a sense of fair play and good sportsmanship.”
She said life-long friendships could be built through playing sport.
“They call football (soccer) the world game, so what better way to bring people together than with the round ball to celebrate sport development and peace,” she said.
The United Nations created the International Day of Sport in recognition of the positive influence that sport can have on the advancement of human rights, and social and economic development.