CLEELAND United Soccer Club has received a helping hand to support its vulnerable players.
The Rotary Club of Dandenong South East has been working with CatholicCare in Dandenong.
The support service asked Rotarians to support the soccer club, which is made up of Sudanese boys.
“The club is administered by local community volunteers,” Rotarian Colin Byron said.
“They have significant issues financing the club to pay registrations, ground hire, uniforms, balls, equipment etcetera.
“Many of the boys are being brought by single mums who do not have adequate financial means.
“The community recognises that they need their children to play organised sport rather than roam the streets.”
So the Rotarians presented more than 30 soccer balls and goal nets to help out.
“We plan to provide ongoing additional equipment,” Mr Byron said.
Volunteers from the South Sudan Equatorians Association officially established Cleeland United Soccer Club in 2004.
It started with only one senior team but now has players in age groups from under-nines to under-16s.
The club has competed in tournaments throughout Victoria and won several titles.
