The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Social Inclusion stream celebrated their annual CALDplay Soccer Gala, last Thursday at VU Whitten Oval.

With over 170 students from community centres in the west, representing 30 countries of origin, the Gala allowed students to connect with other culturally diverse groups in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s CALDplay sports program aims to provide students with social participation opportunities through the medium of sport and physical activity.

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation General Manager Kashif Bouns said that engaging cultural and linguistically diverse members of the community through sport, allows participants to create meaningful relationships, while developing healthy habits.

“Our Gala events are a fantastic way to celebrate the success of our CALDplay sports program,” said Bouns.

“The participants really enjoy coming together and displaying their newly acquired sport and English language skills in a supportive environment.”

Both the Victoria University Footscray team and the Wyndham Community Education Centre were successful on the day, winning the male and female soccer tournaments.

The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation would like to thank Victoria University Footsray, Deer Park Community Hub, Yarraville Community Centre and Wyndham Community Education Centre for their involvement in this term’s CALDplay Soccer Gala.