2012 Community Shield Launches
2 October 2012 at 9:05 am
Brisbane will play host to one of Australia’s largest multicultural soccer tournaments this month, with Mercy Family Services, LUCRF Community Partnership Trust and the Police Citizen’s Youth Club (PCYC) teaming up to launch the 2012 Community Shield.
Formerly the QPS World Cup, the 2012 tournament will have up to 50 teams participating in the annual event, to be staged at Moreton Bay Sports Club, Tingalpa.
“The 2012 Community Shield will bring together up to 500 culturally diverse participants from across Queensland, representing nations from Sierra Leone to Serbia and San Marino,” Mercy Family Services Multicultural Program Manager Faiza El-Higzi said.
The soccer matches will take place across five days throughout September and October, wrapping up with finals games on 28 October, coinciding with a cultural festival featuring international food and performances.
Prize money and trophies will be allocated to the top three teams on finals day.
“Engaging young people from different backgrounds in fun and meaningful activities, is an excellent chance for us to promote cultural unity in Brisbane,” El-Higzi said.
This year’s tournament is proudly supported by LUCRF Super’s Community Partnership Trust, which provides assistance to community projects which help to build skills and knowledge.
The 2012 Community Shield also has the support of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), who have enlisted local A-League players Matt Smith and Shane Stefanutto to help identify young sporting talent and allocate financial bursaries to five gifted players. The bursaries will fund the players’ registration at a Brisbane football club for the 2013 season.
“There is so much untapped talent in Brisbane and this tournament is an ideal platform for culturally diverse young people to showcase their skills and find support to follow their dreams,” El-Higzi said.
PFA Executive Shane Stefanutto and PFA Delegate Matt Smith, both of Brisbane Roar, will be on hand on finals day to present the 2012 Community Shield to the winning team and the ‘PFA Players’ Player Award’ to the most outstanding player on behalf of Professional Footballers Australia.
“With the strong support of our community partners, the Queensland Police and the PCYC, the tournament provides us with a unique opportunity to foster relationships between local youth and law enforcement agencies,” El-Higzi said.
