Only two years ago Garang Kuol was lighting up the NPL2 competition for Goulburn Valley Suns.
On Saturday, November 26 at 9pm, the 18-year-old could well be strutting his stuff on the world stage in the Socceroos’ World Cup group stage clash with Tunisia.
To honour the occasion and to throw support behind their former star, GV Suns will host a World Cup watch party at Shepparton Sports City pavilion on the night in conjunction with Greater Shepparton’s community clubs.
Suns media operations manager Jacqui Stojanovski said the club screening would be done in conjunction with local clubs in an effort to unite the community as a show of support.
“It’s a combined initiative with Shepparton, Shepp South, United and Tatura, all five of us are coming together and, obviously, members from all clubs are uniting to get behind Garang,” Stojanovski said.
“The support from them has been outstanding, it’s really pleasing to see everything moving in the same direction, I can’t emphasise that enough.”
Stojanovski said Kuol’s inclusion in the World Cup squad was a special moment for the Suns and they were looking to support him in any way possible.
“The event is to support the Socceroos, obviously, and Garang in his first World Cup, which is just amazing,” she said.
“With Garang coming from the Suns, we decided to do something in line with our goals by including everybody, they (local clubs) were more than happy to jump on board and be involved in the event.
“He sent through a photo the other day, he was holding a card and it had his name and number and underneath it had Goulburn Valley Suns Football Club.
“For us to be represented over there in Qatar at a World Cup is above and beyond anything we could have ever expected.”
Tickets to the screening are $20, with supper provided and drinks available at bar prices.
Tickets can be bought at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../socceroos-watch-party...