The message of Harmony Day is that everyone belongs. To support this the NRL is holding a Harmony Day Festival this Saturday at Parry Park in my local community of Canterbury-Bankstown.
This inaugural event will be in the same week as Harmony Day, a day of cultural respect held annually on the 21st March. In 2013 the theme is: Many Stories – One Australia. I’m really proud to be leading the delivery of the NRL Harmony Day Festival, which is all about people coming together from different cultures in the community to celebrate with a fun, sporting family day.
There will be a League Tag competition, for those who want to have a go and be competitive, along with more relaxed games for others who just want to have some fun.
Kids can also learn Rugby League skills in a come-and-try clinic later that afternoon following the competition. The four divisions in the League Tag competition are:
Mixed Under-13s;
Boys Under-16s;
Girls Under-16s; and
Mixed Open Age competition.
There will be two exhibition games played, one between Canterbury and Bankstown Councils, and the other between NRL Ambassadors and the Canterbury ‘Legends’ from my old club which I know will be very entertaining!
Entertainment including rides and face painting will be available for the kids, and there is also the chance to experience a variety of different foods throughout the day. Members of the community will also perform cultural acts at different times on-stage during the day. These cultural dances and ceremonies will show a diverse variety of entertainment for the enjoyment of everyone attending the NRL Harmony Day.
I’m proud that the NRL is getting behind this day. It’s a chance to give back to the Western Sydney community who have shown so much support for Rugby League and the NRL. It’s also a day to acknowledge and celebrate Rugby League’s cultural diversity.
I also want to thank the Department of Immigration and Citizenship; Canterbury and Bankstown Councils and the Australian Federal Police for all of their support to help make the event a great success.
Come on down to Parry Park for NRL Harmony Day this Saturday – it’s going to be a lot of fun with something for everyone!
Event Details:
NRL Harmony Day
Parry Park,
Punchbowl Road, Punchbowl
Saturday 23 March, 2013
9am-6pm
