Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced that Round 24 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Season will be Harmony Round which aligns with Harmony Day (21 March).
Harmony Round will showcase our cultural diversity in particular how multiculturalism can enrich football in Australia with Hyundai A-League clubs conducting School Visits whilst home grounds will be transformed into a celebration of diversity among players, spectators, supporters and partners.
FFA CEO David Gallop said sport plays an important role in building inclusive communities.
“Harmony Day celebrates multicultural Australia and coincides with the United Nations International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,” Gallop said.
“It’s a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.
“Almost half of all Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was.
“That’s why Football Federation Australia has partnered with Harmony Day to help spread the Harmony Day message: ‘everyone belongs’ among players, fans, supporters and partners.
“Our diversity makes our teams stronger and makes Australia a great place to live,” concluded Gallop
Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs The Hon Craig Laundy MP said he values the partnership between Football Federation Australia and Harmony Day because it provides an opportunity for people from all walks of life who are part of our football community or keen spectators to learn about the purpose behind Harmony Day and the celebration of our cultural diversity.
“Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone,” Mr Laundy said.
“On or off the field our cultural diversity makes us stronger. It makes Australia a great place to live.”
“I encourage all football fans to attend their team’s Harmony Round match to celebrate our cultural diversity in the lead up to Harmony Day on 21 March,” Mr Laundy said.
Visit www.harmony.gov.au to find out more, register your Harmony Day event or find an event happening near you this Harmony Day.
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| Hyundai A-League Club | School | Date | Time | Players |
| Adelaide United | Annesley Junior School | 17-Mar | 3:30-4:30pm | Cirio, Mate Duganzic, Michael Marrone |
| Central Coast Mariners | Avoca Beach Primary School | 15-Mar | 8:00- 9:15am | Luis Garcia, Fabio Ferreira, Brad McDonald |
| Melbourne City FC | St Carlo Borromeo Primary School, Greenvale | 16-Mar | TBC | TBC |
| Melbourne Victory | Richmond West Primary School | 18-Mar | 12:30-1:30pm | Gulcan Koca (Westfield W- League), Hyundai A- League player TBC |
| Newcastle Jets | Hunter Christian School | 15-Mar | 1-2pm | Nigel Boogaard, Daniel Mullen and Labinot Haiti |
| Sydney FC | Marrickville West Public School | 18-Mar | 10-11am | Alex Brosque |
| Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Auburn North High School | 18-Mar | 2-3pm | Brendan Hamil, Shayne D’Cunha, Golgol Mebrahtu |
For more information regarding Harmony Round please contact Adam Mark (adam.mark@ffa.com.au) or the respective Hyundai A-League Club Media Manager
| Hyundai A-League Club | Media Manager | |
| Adelaide United | Marius Zanin | Marius.Zanin@aufc.com.au |
| Brisbane Roar | Geoff Stead | GStead@brisbaneroar.com.au |
| Central Coast | Tyson Scott | tscott@ccmariners.com.au |
| Melbourne City | Julius Ross | julius.ross@melbournecityfc.com.au |
| Melbourne Victory | Adrian Ceddia | Aceddia@mvfc.com.au |
| Newcastle Jets | Ben O’Neill | ben@newcastlejets.com.au |
| Perth Glory | Peter Kapsanis | peter.kapsanis@perthglory.com.au |
| Sydney FC | David Warriner | davidw@sydneyfc.com |
| Wellington Phoenix | Russell Gray | russellg@wellingtonphoenix.com |
| Western Sydney | Mark Jensen | MJensen@wswanderersfc.com.au |
