AUGUST 22, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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(Shawn Smits)
Common ground Word play, rhythm and rhyme will be used to bring together young people from different faiths and cultures in St Albans next month. The aptly named Common Ground project consists of eight weekly workshops that aim to get young people aged between 15 and 25 talking about their lives, and then help them turn those sentiments into spoken word poems. Project facilitator Manal Younus said the idea behind the project was to create a space for young people from faiths that are often vilified to come together “and use poetry as a medium for dialogue, friendship and interaction”. “It gives kids a chance to learn different ways of expressing themselves in an environment where they feel comfortable.” Common Ground was started four years ago to build connections between young people from Islamic and Sikh background and has since expanded to welcome all faiths and cultures. The Brimbank program will be held at the St Albans Community Arts Centre between September 10 and October 15. Register by contacting Brimbank Youth Services on 9249 4110 or bys@brimbank. vic.gov.au. Alexandra Laskie
MANAL YOUNUS AND NOUR ABOUZEID
Bans over football brawl By Alexandra Laskie Three people have been banned by Albion Football Club over their alleged involvement in a wild brawl at a junior football game in Hoppers Crossing that left an umpire nursing injuries to his upper body. The football club moved swiftly last week to issue indefinite bans to three people believed to be at the centre of the fracas that erupted after the final siren sounded in the under-15s grand final between Albion and Point Cook at Hogans Road Reserve. The brawl broke out after the umpire awarded two consecutive 50-metre penalties to Point Cook in the dying seconds of the tight
game that saw Point Cook take the lead and the premiership. The bans will remain in place pending the outcome of a Western Region Football League (WRFL) investigation into the August 13 incident. The league refused to comment until after its investigation. “The Albion Football Club does not condone violence of any type, on or off the field,” the club said in a post on Facebook. “Due to the actions of three individuals on Sunday at the under-15 grand final, the Albion Football Club confirms the individuals involved have received indefinite bans until further investigation. As a club we are continuing to work closely with the
WRFL in investigating the incidents and we will endeavour to take additional action if required. “We will be making further comments once the WRFL investigation has been completed.” Last Friday, a Truganina man, 40, was charged with affray and two counts of assault over his involvement in the brawl. He has been bailed to appear at the Werribee Magistrates Court on February 5. Witnesses reported seeing umpires “in grave danger” running for their lives as they were mobbed. One spectator said he joined a group of men who ran on to the field to protect the umpires. “About five umpires, some of them young
kids, were getting chased right up to the fence,” he said. “We had to stand in front of their [the umpires’] room – they were in grave danger.” Albion president Gavan Taylor would not confirm the ages of the three people banned by the club and said they would be referred to external support services. “We’ve put measures in place to look after them,” he said. Mr Taylor said the club hadn’t been able to get in contact with the injured umpire. “We haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet, but we’ll do everything we can for him,” he said. Victoria Police is continuing to investigate.
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