Across the globe, people are connected by the power of the game and so, Shepparton’s Bishal Kunwar thought it only right to join regional and metropolitan through a soccer match.
In collaboration with Shepparton Malayalee Association, Mr Kunwar organised the game for Saturday, June 18, between the Shepparton FC team and the Melbourne Nepal team, who travelled just to play.
He said it was the first time to happen and a “very important” moment for the community.
“I believe these kind of matches will help to connect people of different ethnic backgrounds, to create bonding opportunities and relationships,” Mr Kunwar said.
Having been a part of initiating Shepparton FC four years ago, Mr Kunwar has experience in bringing communities together.
“We started with 10 people, but that connection sort of grew and we started inviting more friends,” he said.
“One by one, we now have more than 30 players coming together from different backgrounds and having practice matches every week.”
The team was created as a way to link people who had newly arrived to the region and make them more comfortable in settling.
Each week the team and their families comes together for practice matches, to “play and have a good time”.
Mr Kunwar said it was a “tough match” with the Melbourne team at McEwen Reserve Soccer Fields, Shepparton FC took out the win 2 to 1.
The winning team was presented with a trophy and the visiting Nepal team also gave a token of love along with handmade Nepalese scarves as a way of saying thank you in Nepalese culture.
“We have created a true friendship between two communities by the same passion its lovely and simple — we will continue to grow and create relationships via sports,” he said.
“In the future, we’re looking forward to organising more friendly soccer tournaments, inviting different teams from Bendigo, Melbourne and other regional towns in Victoria.”
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