Government funds school football kits to promote harmony

Primary schools will receive the Harmony Game packs in time for the World Cup in Brazil.

The Harmony Day pollies versus press football match was one of an estimated 6500 community events held this week to celebrate Harmony Day, which officially begins tomorrow.

"It embodies our aspiration to be an open, welcoming and accepting society," said Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The Federal Government has announced that it will work with SBS to promote cultural understanding through football, investing $180,000 investment in a school resource kit.

"We believe it is a very good investment, and this will be an initiative that has great success," said Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

The Harmony Game Schools pack will be distributed to primary schools and is the brainchild of former Socceroo Craig Foster.

He understands first-hand the value of the world game.

"The post-war migration came here from Europe and they came with football in their hearts. And football played a really central role in the harmonious society we have today."

Refugee players from the social development program, Football United say they have seen the power of football to bring people together.

"Football has the power to break barriers where language doesn’t," said Shegofa Hassani at Football United.

"You can just play the game, the game that you love, and you don’t need the language to communicate with each other."

With 250 million registered players globally, football is the most widely played sport in the world.

Interest in the game is also increasing in the lead up to the World Cup.

-Source SBS Website