Inaugural Wollongong World Cup: Celebrating Refugee Week 2024

In celebration of Refugee Week 2024, STARTTS successfully hosted the inaugural Indoor Football ‘Wollongong World Cup’!

The event was bursting with cultural pride, friendly competition, and the powerful message of community spirit.

This wasn’t just any tournament – it was the culmination of eight months of planning, co-founded by Piteeri Michail, Community Development Worker at STARTTS Wollongong and envisioned by Karenni community leader Htjaru Htjaru.

Their goal? To showcase the strength and cultural richness of regional NSW’s former refugee communities, while fostering a welcoming space for them to connect.

Over two action-packed days (June 23rd and 30th) at the University of Wollongong, the energy was electric! More than 160 players from 16 teams and different refugee backgrounds including Karenni, Chin, Zomi, Congolese, Banyamulenge, Afghan, Afrikan, Hazara, Syrian, Iraqi, Tamil and Yazidi, came together. Teams from Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Sydney, and Wollongong battled it out in a spirit of friendly competition.

This wasn’t just about winning – it was about the beautiful game bringing people together. It was a powerful demonstration of how sport can bridge cultural divides and support the settlement process for former refugees.

The ‘Wollongong World Cup’ transcended the realm of competition, transforming into a vibrant celebration of talent, diversity, and the enduring spirit of refugee-background communities.

This incredible event was a collaborative effort, made possible by STARTTS, Illawarra Multicultural Services, Red Cross, the Rotary Club, Illawarra Shoalhaven Multicultural and Refugee Health, Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, and sponsored by the NSW Office of Sport, Wollongong Council, UOW, Rotary (Corrimal), Kit Bags For Kids, and Red Cross. The Rotary Club in Corrimal generously catered the events – adding an extra special touch of community spirit.

A free accredited referee training program was also offered, which attracted 75 aspiring referees. This initiative not only nourished a passion for the sport but created future officiating and sustainable employment opportunities.

With the first tournament a resounding success, everyone involved is already looking forward to building on this incredible foundation next year. So stay tuned – the ‘Wollongong World Cup’ is here to stay, uniting communities and celebrating a truly wonderful game!