Hazara Nation

ABC.AU

Having fled repression and come to Australia seeking a better life, refugee children in Adelaide have enjoyed a memorable experience on the sports field.

They have taken part in a soccer clinic in the northern suburbs with some of the stars of the game.

The aim is to help the young refugees integrate into Australian society and make new friends.

More than 100 children had their pasts far from their thoughts as they took to the pitch among Adelaide United players, who coached them in soccer skills.
More than 120 young refugees took part in the school holidays training session and United player Richie Alagich was impressed with the skills on display.

"They're having a fantastic time and obviously there's a lot of skill being shown out there," he said.

"I think that's just a natural progression, obviously they're playing back home, they just play out there in the streets and they just get out there and have fun and enjoy themselves and the skill level is quite impressive."

Too few facilities

But many of the children who are keen to develop their sporting skills could find it hard to get a local soccer club to welcome them.

The locals say Adelaide's northern suburbs have too few coaches, club volunteers or facilities to nurture all those who are keen to build their soccer skills.

The juniors' chairman at Salisbury soccer club, Bud Costanzo, wishes he could offer more.

"It's sad, I mean I hate turning kids away," he said.

"Unfortunately there's not much you can do about it, there's only so many kids you can take in."

Salisbury Council hopes it can make soccer clinics a regular feature, with a different Adelaide United player each week.