Lismore City Council staff will be vying for their fourth consecutive win at the annual African All Stars vs Lismore Legends football match today at the Asia Pacific Football Institute soccer field at Southern Cross University.
The football friendly has become a popular social event that has helped build relationships between council workers and African refugees who now call Lismore home.
In the last six years the African All Stars and Lismore Legends have both achieved hat tricks, so this year pride is on the line and the match will be hotly contested by the fiercely competitive teams.
‘We will have players from the Sudan, the Congo and Sierra Leone – and all will be very keen to win back the trophy,’ community services coordinator Annie McWilliam said.
‘This football match has been an amazing way to connect African people with Council staff.
‘Often refugees who come to Lismore need to access government services, but can find it daunting as there is a language barrier and our government systems are very different to their own.
‘Sport is a fantastic way to break down those barriers and the event has played an enormous role in creating a space where new residents feel safe and confident they can approach local government.
‘Having said that, after almost a decade of football matches, I think sporting pride now plays a big part.’
The African All Stars vs Lismore Legends football match is on Thursday, 9 October at the Asia Pacific Football Institute soccer field at Southern Cross University (entry via Crawford Road).
The game starts at 5.15pm with a presentation at 6.45pm. Everyone is welcome and entry is free.
