Hope Australia Soccer Academy (HASA) has celebrated its first year of operations with a tournament-style soccer game and a festival for its community of mostly migrant families in Casey-Cardinia.
An end of year Inaugural tournament and presentation was held at Narre Warren South P-12 College on Saturday, 14 December.
Students aged six to 16 received medals and top performers were awarded trophies presented by MP for LaTrobe Jason Wood and Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, who had lobbied the federal government to fund the program.
HASA launched in July with just eight students but now has more than 100 students registered.
Highlights in recent months have included soccer clinics by some of Brazil’s former World Cup players, and students helping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest soccer clinic which was previously held by Poland.
“The program is doing better than expected and we’re still growing,” HASA chairman Larry Sebastian said.
“Many of the parents and kids are really enjoying the program because it’s more than just about soccer, it’s about encouraging values”.
On the back of HASA’s initial success, Mr Wood said he was exploring expanding the program to Melbourne’s Western suburbs.
“It’s fantastic to see this program flourish,” he said. “This early intervention program focuses on at-risk youth to build local connections and skills.”
Mr Wood also announced he would aim to get Prime Minister Scott Morrisson to attend a HASA session, to which students enquired if the Prime Minister could turn up next week.
HASA resumes the training season on February 3.
