WA Police soccer players came off second best in a showdown against Perth’s multicultural sporting talent in the 'Footy with the Fuzz' event at Spearwood’s Beale Park on Sunday 4 October 2009.

About 1500 people and 28 teams attended the event, organised by the State Security Investigation Group and Football West in partnership with the South and South East Metropolitan Police Districts to encourage friendship and unity in ethnically diverse communities. Battling it out were teams representing several local mosques, universities and community groups representing a multicultural mix of Perth’s Middle Eastern and African communities.

Players represented communities including South Africa, Sudan, Ghana, Somalia, Eritrea, Zambia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

In the men’s event, Sudan blitzed their rivals to take the winner’s trophy, while South Africa came out on top in the women’s competition. The Thornlie Mosque team – which included four Imams – and the Saudi Club team were singled out for showing the best sportsmanship on the day.

WA Police and the Cockburn Soccer Club provided a free halal barbeque for players and volunteers. Entertainment included the WA Police Pipe Band, the Great Nile Band and a DJ, as well as children’s football clinics organised by Football West.