AFL Unity Cup – ‘GWSC GIANTS’

The AFL Unity Cup Carnival was contested on Sunday the 15/9/24 at La Trobe University. We had a total of 128 registered players engaged in our Term 3 program, who came together to form our nine ‘GWSC GIANTS’ teams who played AFL 9’s, against fellow sides from different communities all over Victoria.

More than 200 participants competed fiercely but fairly in eight different divisions on the day of the carnival. The ‘AFL Unity Cup’ program brings together a host of different cultural groups and linguistically diverse communities by engaging them in Australian Rules Football and personal development education sessions. This free eight-week program also provides an opportunity for young multicultural Victorians to engage positively with their peers and the community through their mutual love of footy.

Our girls and boys ‘GWSC GIANTS’ AFL 9’s teams had an absolute blast on the day of the carnival, as they engaged with a multitude of cultural education programs, participated in activations and performances alongside a range of community organisations, whilst scoring a stack of freebies in the Footy Festival Zone as well. Players and coaches also enjoyed a nutritious lunch from the footy canteen, tucked into free ice creams and drinks, in addition to wearing their personalised ISC ‘high performance’ footy guernseys with pride, which they were allowed to keep following the carnival! 

All of our AFL 9’s games were played in the correct spirit, with some highly entertaining and skilful teamwork on display from our ‘GWSC GIANTS’. All of our students and staff coaches represented themselves and our College community so very well; demonstrating respect, understanding and fairness to all in attendance, both on and off the field. It was also fantastic to see so many of our GWSC students, staff and families out and about barracking for our teams; your constant encouragement from beyond the boundary line was amazing, inspiring and greatly appreciated.

Special mentions must also go to the following three teams who were undefeated throughout the entire carnival – U14 Girls ‘Team 1’, U16 Boys ‘Team 9’ and our U18 Girls ‘Team 5’. At the end of the competition, our 'GWSC GIANTS' teams were also awarded one of the major AFL ‘Core Values’ trophies. We took home the ‘Play as One Team' trophy which recognised the terrific way in which all of our teams competed on the day whilst respecting their team mates, fellow competitors, umpires, coaches, supporters and our great game of AFL!

All of our ‘GWSC GIANTS’ AFL 9’s players should be very proud of their endeavours during our eight-week training program and also on the day of the 2024 ‘AFL Unity Cup’ Carnival, a tremendous effort by all involved. Thank-you also to the 34 GWSC staff members (coaches and support staff) who assisted our students throughout our training sessions and also at the AFL 9’s carnival; providing them with coaching, inspiration, direction, first aid and support; your time and efforts were greatly appreciated by all.

I would again like to thank the AFL for inviting our College to participate in this special multicultural AFL program. Our students and staff have been very fortunate to be involved in a range of incredible experiences throughout the program this year, which were kindly organised by representatives from the AFL. We can't wait to kickstart our 2025 ‘AFL Unity Cup’ program at GWSC and hope to introduce even more of our students and their families to footy! I have a feeling that next year’s ‘AFL Unity Cup’ is certain to be an even bigger and better celebration of many cultures playing one game, our game, of Australian Rules football!   

Cheers,

Mr Mark Robinson.

AFL Schools Ambassador / AFL Diversity Community Ambassador

GWSC GIANTS ‘Multicultural AFL Programs’ Coordinator

'AFL Unity Cup' Glen Waverley Hub Coordinator

Glen Waverley Secondary College.