The spiritual home of the Goulburn Valley Suns, Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve, will play host to arguably the biggest soccer event in its history this week.
The AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers will bring the Suns’ home ground to life as Australia, China, Cambodia and Northern Mariana Islands battle it out for a ticket to Bahrain.
With Football Australia steering the event, boots on the ground and local knowledge is always vital in staging an event of this calibre, and the Suns have jumped at the opportunity to help out where necessary.
“It’s a massive week; a festival of football as Football Australia have been calling it,” Suns president Michael Criscera said.
“We’ve been helping Football Australia with volunteers and ball kids, we’ve called on some of the local clubs as well to help us out and the response has been fantastic.”
Criscera said the club was immensely proud to be a part of an international event such as this.
“It’s a great opportunity to see some of the up-and-coming talent in Australian football at under-17 level,” he said.
“Hopefully it comes again, but it will be a while before we ever get another opportunity like this again to see some of the best talent across Asia in the under-17 age group.”
After witnessing Garang Kuol’s stunning transfer to English Premier League club Newcastle last week, Criscera said this event would help further the Suns’ aim in giving youth a solid footballing platform in the region.
“It’s been a massive week for the club with Garang’s transfer, seeing players progress from our club is what it’s all about, and to stage an event like this, it’s just massive.”
The Suns are still on the lookout for volunteers for the three match days, with stretcher bearers and ticket scanners needed.
- If anyone is interested in volunteering across the event this week, email operations@gvsuns.com.au for more information.