Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Monash: The Jordan national team will prepare for the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 with a 15-day pre-competition camp hosted by Mazenod College in a move that will foster footballing and cultural connections between the West Asian team and Australian local community.
Mazenod is the third Australian venue, and only school, that will be a pre-competition training base for a national team. The other teams who have announced pre-competition camps are Bahrain who will train in Ballarat, while China will prepare at Campbelltown in Sydney’s west.
Australian community leaders are proud to be given the opportunity in what will provide a significant cultural and social opportunity for the school and an economic boost for the Monash region.
“Jordan’s decision to choose Mazenod is a great vote of confidence in our community, and demonstrates the hard work and positivity of our bid in providing a welcoming and world class facility,” Principal Father Michael Twigg was quoted as saying by a press release from Australia 2015’s Local Organising Committee.
“As a welcoming multi-cultural community, we stand ready to fully embrace Jordan and its football supporters and our bid found genuine connections between Jordanian and Australian cultures.
“Monash City is a wonderful community that fully embraces diversity and Mazenod College stands as a proud member. Jordan have committed to embracing our community and helping us share in the experience of the Asian Cup. The students are very excited to be a part of this great tournament.
“The students of Mazenod College and members of Mazenod United Football Club will play a large role in the volunteering of services for the camp and the opportunity will be open to anyone in the community.”
Minister for Sport Damian Drum said: “The Victorian Government is delighted Mazenod College has been chosen as the only school and Victoria’s second venue for a pre-competition training camp of a national team ahead of the prestigious AFC Asian Cup.
“Hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 will be a highlight on Melbourne and Victoria’s major events calendar next year, showcasing Victoria as a vibrant economic, sports and multicultural hub to the rest of the world.
“Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility was the first Australian venue to secure a training base and today’s announcement that Mazenod College, one of Melbourne’s most multicultural and diverse educational facilities, has won its bid is great news for Victoria.”
Australia 2015’s Local Organising Committee CEO Michael Brown said: “I am delighted to see Mazenod has been chosen by Jordan for their Asian Cup pre-competition camp.
“The hard work of everyone at the college, combined with the full support of the Victorian Government has paid off. Competition for an international team is fierce, and we are very happy that Monash will receive the benefits of hosting an international team.
“The Local Organising Committee identified pre-competition camps as an important opportunity for Australian communities, and today’s announcement highlights how a strong community can take centre stage in the lead up to our event.”
“I am sure all of the Mazenod students, families, staff and old boys as well as the Monash community will be keen to adopt Jordan as their Asian Cup team and will be heading to Melbourne Rectangular Stadiums for the games.
“With tickets starting from $15 for adults and $5 for children it would be great to see Melbourne Rectangular Stadium full of supporters cheering for Jordan making them feel welcome.”
Jordan qualified for Australia 2015 as they finished runners-up in Group A qualifying after the squad (pictured) beat Syria 2-1 in their last qualiying match at the Amman International Stadium back in March.
Jordan will play two games in Melbourne against last qualifiers Palestine on January 16, 2015 and defending champions Japan on January 20. Their third game is in Brisbane on January 12 against Iraq.
The competition will kick off in Melbourne on January 9 with an opening ceremony and Australia-Kuwait match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and will culminate in the final at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on January 31.