27 April 2011

The fifth annual Unity Cup will be contested this Saturday, April 30, between Murray League’s Rumbalara and Congupna football and netball clubs.

The Unity Cup round was established by the two clubs to acknowledge and celebrate the role women play in creating and managing strong social networks in their communities.

Greater Shepparton City Council Cr Jenny Houlihan, who will speak at the President's lunch and present the Cup to the winning football and netball teams, said the clubs should be congratulated on the initiative.

"Council is proud to support this event, which promotes social inclusion in our community," Cr Houlihan said.

"Sporting clubs are incredibly important meeting places in our regional and rural communities.

"They frequently act as the social ‘glue' that helps our communities stick together.

"We recognise, too, that it's often the mothers, grandmothers, aunties and sisters who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the kids get to training and games, help out in the canteen, with uniforms, at the gate and with the many other activities that keep our sporting clubs ticking a long.

"This initiative by Rumbalara and Congupna is a wonderful celebration of our region's cultural diversity and I congratulate both clubs on their ongoing support for what is now becoming an annual highlight on social and sporting calendars."

Cr Houlihan said the Unity Cup round was exactly the type of activity Council, through the implementation of its Locals Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) program, hoped to see more of in the community.

"The LEAD program works with local businesses, employers, schools and Council to reduce race-based discrimination and celebrate diversity through a range of activities, including training, leadership programs and policy reviews," Cr Houlihan said.

 

The Unity Cup agenda is:

9am – Junior football and netball games commence
10am-11am – Women's morning tea and welcome to new arrivals in the Queen's Garden
12.30pm-1.30pm – President's lunch.
1.30pm – A-Grade netball game commences
2.10pm – Senior football game commences
5pm – Unity Cup presentations
8pm – Evening celebrations commence

The morning tea at Queen's Gardens is a free event and open to the public. All other events will be held at Rumbalara Football Netball Club, Mercury Dve, Shepparton. Normal match fees apply.

For more information about the day's activities, contact Rumbalara Football Netball Club on 5822 4364.