Futsal forges friendships among Hervey Bay's international students
Monday, 21 September 2009
MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 8 September 2009
Futsal forges friendships among Hervey Bay's international students
Hervey Bay hosted a world indoor soccer knockout this week but it is very unlikely the results will reach any record books.
The main aim of the event at the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE's Hervey Bay campus was not to find champions but to help international students from many parts of the world get to know each other.
The Institute's International Manager Braden Graham said the turnout exceeded expectations with students from 12 countries taking part in futsal games.
"We have a wide range of international programs at the campus and most of our overseas students don't have opportunities to meet together," Mr Graham said.
"This was a chance for them to socialise as a group and make some new friendships."
There were 60 students from Africa, China, Denmark, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Romania, South Korea, Thailand and United Kingdom at the indoor gymnasium for the futsal playoff and afterwards they joined home stay providers and staff for a BBQ.
"It was a very light hearted event, not only for players but their very rowdy supporters as well."
"The Red Warriors from Denmark won the day, defeating the Gladiators from South Korea and UK but the real winners were all the students who met and made friends with others from different nationalities."
Mr Graham said student feedback had been overwhelming and, as a result, there would be another event towards the end of the academic year.
The programs available to international students at Hervey Bay campus include English language, hospitality, business, hairdressing, cookery and senior school studies.