Communities have a ball
Communities have a ball
You don’t need alcohol to get your kicks, as proved by the teams who took part in the Ethkick West football tournament in Starling Park, West Auckland, this month.
Twenty-five teams representing a range of ethnic communities gathered for the tournament, sponsored by the Human Rights Commission and Police along with Community Waitakere.
The event was opened by Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.
The men’s tournament was won by Afghanistan, with Nepal as runners-up. Tuvalu won the women’s competition, ahead of Team NZ.
On the sidelines, stalls served a range of ethnic food and there was live music to take people’s minds off the miserable weather. The event was alcohol free and there were no incidents among the hundreds of supporters who came to watch.
Police was well represented on and off the pitch. One team comprised police and members of the public, while Pacific Wardens, Neighbourhood Policing Team and Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Services staff promoted policing as a career for all communities.
Ethnic Liaison Officer Constable Mandeep Kaur says it is hoped Ethkick will become an annual event.
“It felt like the community was very close, and everyone was certainly appreciative of the effort,” she says. “Waitakere Police are already looking forward to the next year’s event.”