Police and students have celebrated the world game in an international-themed Beach Soccer Tournament at Coogee, with the Chilean team taking out the title.
The tournament was hosted by Eastern Beaches Local Area Command at Coogee Beach yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2015), and involved teams of police officers and international students from across NSW.
Students, who are studying at schools, TAFE colleges, English language colleges, universities and other educational institutions in NSW, represented their country during the round-robin competition.
The event was proudly sponsored by Study NSW, Department of Premier & Cabinet, and Randwick City Council, while also being supported by Multicultural NSW.
Almost 200 students from Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, India, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, took part in the competition.
The tournament also featured police from Local Area Commands across Sydney, as well as the Hunter and Illawarra.
The day culminated in a nail-biting grand final match between the police team and Chilean team, with Chile taking out the competition 1-0.
Corporate Sponsor for the Safety of International Students, Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate, said 2015 was the biggest and best tournament police have ever hosted.
“The wet weather certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, with almost 200 students from more than 37 countries coming together to enjoy the competition,” Det Supt Dengate said.
“Soccer has proven to be a terrific way to interact with students to help them feel welcome and safe in their new community.
“It was great for police officers and students alike to interact with one another, and break down barriers so students know they can come to us if they ever need help,” Det Supt Dengate said.
“It also gives students an informal setting in which to talk to police about their experiences or any challenges they may be facing, so officers are best equipped to understand their needs.
“The community spirit on the sand was phenomenal and there were thousands of people there to cheer on the players throughout the day and during the grand final decider, creating a spectacular atmosphere.
“We really appreciate the support from the local community, as well as the educational institutions, Randwick City Council, event sponsors and local business, all of whom played a part in making the day such a success,” Det Supt Dengate said.
To view images and vision from the tournament, visit the NSW Police Force International Students Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nswinternationalstudents.