Australian Football Harmony Cup Explained

Australian Football Harmony Cup
Sport:Australian rules football
Country:Host: Australia

The Australian Football Harmony Cup is an amateur Australian rules football competition featuring teams drawn from Melbourne's migrant communities. The tournament is coordinated by Australian Football International.

It was first held in 2004 in Melbourne around National Harmony Day.

Background

Australian Football is also known for a high participation rate amongst migrants, particularly amongst Europeans. Many such players reach the highest levels and some like Ron Barassi, Stephen Silvagni, Robert DiPierdomenico and Alex Jesaulenko are legends of the game. Some Australian Football League clubs, such as Carlton are renowned for the high number of players of Mediterranean origin.

Teams

The Harmony Cup has included teams representing multicultural communities from Albania, Chile, Croatia, Israel, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Macedonia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Samoa, South Sudan, Spain, Switzerland, Tonga, Wales, Vietnam and Turkey. A side drawn from the Melbourne Aboriginal community has also competed at the Harmony Cup. Teams under the banner of "United Nations", "Team Harmony" and "Team Africa" have also competed at the Harmony Cup.

Teams
Albania
Chile
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Lebanon
Macedonia
Netherlands
Poland
Spain
Switzerland
Tonga
Wales
Turkey

History

The first Harmony Cup was held in 2004 at Skinner Reserve, Braybrook in 2004, with Israel 8.9 (57) defeating Samoa 1.0 (6) in the Grand Final.

The 2005 Harmony Cup was won by Greece 5.5 (35) over Turkey 3.3 (21) in front of a crowd of 2,300 at Optus Oval in Carlton, Melbourne.

The Harmony Cup returned in 2010 and has been held every year since.

Results

YearChampions
2023 Samoa
2022 Ireland
2021 Ireland
2020 Italy
2018 Ireland
2017 Italy
2016 Ireland
2015 Lebanon
2014 Lebanon
2013 Australia
2012 Albania
2011 Lebanon
2010 Lebanon
2005 Greece
2004 Israel

See also

References

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kids News: Harmony Cup. 30 March 2017. Kidsnews.com.au. 22 February 2019.
  2. Web site: Swiss AFL team @ 2017 Harmony Cup. Swisscham.com.au. 22 February 2019.
  3. Web site: Suns ready to shine at cup. 15 March 2016. Heraldsun.com.au. 22 February 2019.
  4. Web site: Harmony Cup in Parkville. Heraldsun.com.au. 22 February 2019.
  5. Web site: All in the name of harmony - Neos Kosmos. 1 February 2010. Neokosmos.com. 22 February 2019.
  6. Web site: Team Hellas readies for Harmony Cup - Neos Kosmos. 21 March 2014. Neokosmos.com. 22 February 2019.