Last Saturday, Geelong Soccer Club and Avondale Football Club met at Winslow Park in Corio for the inaugural Pathways Cup.
The Pathways Cup is a collaboration between the Lions and Avengers, two likeminded soccer clubs, and supported by the Wadawurrung People, to raise funds to provide inclusive opportunities in the soccer space for local Indigenous people.
A total of $93,505.00 was fundraised, which will be used to buy a bus to provide opportunities for Indigenous children to access and be involved in soccer.
Guest speakers included Member for Geelong Christine Couzens MP, City of Greater Geelong Councillor Eddy Kontelj, Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles, Koorie Academy Basketball CEO Ricky Baldwin and Indigenous Civil Group Director Phil Jackson.
Funds will also start a new Indigenous soccer program at Avondale FC, and for youth soccer programs in the Geelong community inclusive of Indigenous Australians through The Geelong Foundation.
This opportunity will make a tangible difference to many young people through the development of soccer clinics and supporting registration fees and uniform purchases.
The day included junior games with the senior teams facing off with Geelong winning 3-2 in an exciting match.
Winslow was a major sponsor along with ICG, and Kyabram Greens Estate.
Other key sponsors included: Larrakia Bilirra, LV Football, YVE Group, ID Land, BA Roads, Koori Academy, Tutt Bryant, 2Bros Concreting, Maple Living, Fetch Recruiting, and Case Rentals.
“Our intention was for The Pathways Cup to be the beginning of a collaboration between two likeminded soccer clubs and supported by the Wadawurrung People, with the aim of providing inclusive opportunities in the soccer space for local Indigenous people,” said Avondale President Steve Strano.
“With the amazing fundraising total, we achieved more than that. Working together as part of the community is what makes opportunities like this happen.”