Strengthening cultural ties is all fun and games

UNITED States athletes were welcomed to Casey in an opening ceremony last Thursday, heralding the start of the Edwin Flack Games.
Thirty-two athletes and officials from Casey’s sister city Springfield, Ohio, arrived in the country last week for a sporting and cultural exchange between the two cities.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said the young people from the United States would embark on a life-changing journey and take home with them memories and new friendships that could last a lifetime.
“The City of Casey believes in the strength of cultural ties between all nations and we celebrate this in our Global Friendships and Sister City programs,” Cr Bradford said.
“The Edwin Flack Games is a significant part our sister city activities because it provides young people with a fantastic life opportunity to experience a different culture, participate in their chosen sport and make new friends.”
The Edwin Flack Games, named after Australia’s first Olympic gold medallist, began last Friday and will continue for the next week at different venues around Casey.
Athletes will compete in volleyball, soccer, basketball, golf, softball, baseball and athletics.
The overseas visitors are being home hosted by volunteer families in Casey for the duration of the games and will incorporate visits to some of Victoria’s most popular tourist attractions during their stay.
The mayor also acknowledged representatives from the Friends of Ermera, who had worked hard to try to bring a contingent of athletes from Ermera in East Timor.
Unfortunately, they were not able to make the journey due to the current civil unrest.