We had the enormous pleasure earlier in the week of presenting some brand new t-shirts to the CLS Girls’ Football (Soccer) Team – generously donated by the good folk from Country Rugby League (nothing like a little international cross-pollination of codes!).

Our timing was impeccable – because that same afternoon, the girls were set to play an “international” match against the children from a visiting volunteer group from Singapore.

It wasn’t exactly what you’d call “a level playing field”!  Cyclonic rain the night before turned the “pitch” into a mud-bath – but hey, what’s an international test match without a little mud?

“Our” girls were magnificent – gracious in victory.  Unlike Mrs Jen, who was singularly one-eyed in her barracking for the mighty CLS gals!

As with our own schools, sport is a valuable part of the CLS program – it’s a great tool for engaging kids, particularly those “at risk”.  The donated t-shirts represented more than just rare new clothes for the girls – they looked, felt and played like a team and they were so proud of themselves.  And the sight of these lovely young ladies emerging like a bright yellow wave from the CLS bus struck fear deep into the hearts of their opponents!

All bias aside, this exercise proved again that sport can be a remarkably effective conduit for international fellowship.  Who needs language when you have a ball, some mud and a bunch of energetic kids?

Dara – the cleanest ref on the planet.  Dara is a teacher at CLS – but he takes his reffing VERY seriously.  He even managed to play a friendly match without a scrap of mud.  (Or touching the ball!  But that’s a minor detail!)