Australia is competing in the first ever, commemorative Gallipoli Tri Nations Tournament during Anzac Week in Çanakkale, Turkey. The tournament has been created to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the battle in 1915 and to honour the unique friendship forged between Australia, Turkey and New Zealand, on the battlefields.
The Australian team, gathered from many parts of the country, have been training hard despite uncertainty as to whether the team would be able to participate in the historic event. Raising funds for the trip has been a struggle; however, the team is able to celebrate its first victory in obtaining the assistance of a sponsor. Bankwest noticed the team’s plight and came forward to make a significant contribution towards cost of the trip; without this sponsorship, there was serious doubt that the Team could proceed with its participation in the historic sport event.
The team of Aussies will now be leaving for the city of Çanakkale on Sunday, to compete in the tournament taking place between 21st – 24th April 2010, ending with all three teams attending the dawn service at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli.
Handball is a sport more associated with European fields than the scrub of the Australian outback. And while the Aussies are considered the underdogs of the competition, they have been preparing for months and – inspired with their passion for the sport and country – are aiming to win. The tournament has been designed to take the special relationship formed between the three countries during the war in 1915, to a battle of the sporting kind.
Paul Vivian from Bankwest said, ‘We believe that what the players are doing is admirable. What better way to honour the friendship made by the three countries than through a sporting competition. We’re proud of the team, wish the players and officials the best of luck and are pleased to have been able to help them on their way.”
Paul Smith, President of the Australian Handball Association said, ‘Handball is a fantastic sport, played by people all over the world. It might not be the best known sport here in Australia but we have a dedicated team and growing numbers of enthusiasts. The New Zealand and Turkish teams are pretty strong, but we’re going to do our best to come out on top. On behalf of the Team and AHF, I wish to thank Bankwest for partnering us in this historic event.”
