There was whole of football representation at the Premier’s Harmony Dinner, a gala to recognise and celebrate the inherent multiculturalism and diversity in the state of New South Wales.
Representatives from Football Federation Australia, Football NSW and three Hyundai A-League clubs; the Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, were seated across two tables at the function, which was attended by over 1,500 people.
In addition to a celebration of multicultural NSW, another similarity between all communities present at the Harmony Dinner was a love of football, the world game.
Alongside the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, won by the Westfield Matildas in China, was the 2015 AFC Asian Cup – a lasting symbol of one of the most multiculturally diverse and inclusive sporting events ever hosted in Australia.
Only one team out of the 16 Asian countries represented at the tournament could lift the trophy, and it was the Caltex Socceroos – for the first time, and on home soil – with a team including over 13 unique ethnic backgrounds, showing the true diversity of Australia’s Men’s National Team and the power of football.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian took a photo with the trophy, along with her parliamentary colleague the Minister for Multiculturalism, Ray Williams, and representatives from Multicultural NSW – Chairman Dr. G. K Harinath OAM and CEO Hakan Harman.
FFA CEO David Gallop AM commented on the evening, saying “Events like the Premier’s Harmony Dinner and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup are hugely important in showcasing and celebrating the diversity of culture in Australia.
Football is the one sport capable of uniting all cultures, and it is our mission to continue to ensure the game is as inclusive and accessible as possible.”
FFA would also like to congratulate the recipients of the 2017 Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals and those who were inducted into the Multicultural Honour Roll at the event.
Twitter: @m_culturalnsw