Social Cohesion Inc.

African-born Australian athletes at the 2024 Paris Paralympics are exemplifying incredible resilience and achievement across various sports. Here's a look at some of those remarkable athletes:

🇿🇦 🇦🇺 Alex Saffy: Born in South Africa, Alex, nicknamed the "Bunbury Bullet," moved to Western Australia in 2013. Diagnosed with dyskinetic cerebral palsy, he transitioned from able-bodied swimming to Para-swimming. He made a strong international debut in 2022, winning bronze at the World Championships and silver at the Commonwealth Games. He continued his success with another bronze in 2023, making him a rising star in the sport.

🇿🇦 🇦🇺 Alissa Jordaan: Born in South Africa and raised in Australia, Alissa started athletics early, excelling in international competitions. She won gold and two silvers at the 2017 World Junior Para-Athletics Championships. She set an Australian record in the T47 400m in 2021 and reached the finals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, establishing herself as a leading sprinter.

🇿🇦 🇦🇺 Katja Dedekind: Born in South Africa, and raised in Queensland, Katja made a stunning debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, winning bronze in the 100m backstroke S13. She won two more bronzes at Tokyo 2020, including setting a new Australian record in the 400m freestyle S13, solidifying her reputation in Para-swimming.

🇿🇦 🇦🇺 Mischa Ginns: Born in South Africa, Mischa moved to Australia in 2008. After a spinal injury in 2012, she spent years in rehabilitation. In 2022, she found new passion in badminton, quickly progressing to compete in the 2024 BWF Para Badminton World Championships. She aims to compete in Paris and inspire others to engage in sports.

🇿🇦 🇦🇺 Jeremy Peacock: Born in South Africa prematurely with hemiplegia cerebral palsy, Jeremy grew up in Victoria, Australia. Inspired by Paralympic athletes, he began Para-triathlon in 2017. He made his international debut in 2022, finishing third in the PTS4 classification at the World Championships. He recently won his fourth Oceania title, setting his sights on Paris 2024.

Full-time, permanent roles with a competitive salary, paid holidays and superannuation. You’ll build skills on the job at one of the many Australian Government departments and agencies participating in the program. The Australian Government School Leaver Program is a 12-month career development program.

The closing date has been extended to Sunday 1 September 2024 11:00pm AEST.

For more information visit:

https://www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/career-pathways-home/career-pathways-program/australian-government-school-leaver-program-MCQZ3PDAQUWNGNJC7EGC5JLS4I3Y

Applications deadline for the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship has been extended until 11.59pm AEST on 30 August.

Last year, our very own Nyibol Gatluak was one of two national winners.

Funded by Ampol, the Scholarship will provide two aspiring journalists of any age with a 10-week placement at a major metropolitan newsroom in early 2025. One winner will spend their 10 weeks at SBS in Sydney, and the other will be based at the Newcastle Herald in Newcastle.

Each winner receives a stipend of $10,000 to contribute towards living expenses and accommodation, plus support to travel to Sydney or Newcastle to take up their placement.

For more information visit :

https://www.walkleys.com/professional-development/scholarships-and-fellowships/walkley-opportunity-scholarship/?mc_cid=0900afea48&mc_eid=cbef355597

Essendon Football Club, once known for its flair and the brilliance of Indigenous players, has seemingly lost its spark, adopting a more textbook, private school style of play. But the disappointment doesn't end there. After a devastating loss to the Suns, where Mac Andrew's after-the-siren goal sealed the match, the ugly side of the game reared its head. Andrew, a talented young player who has already faced racist abuse earlier this season from Brisbane fans, was once again targeted by vile, racist comments from Essendon fans.

This isn’t the Essendon we want to support. The lack of excitement on the field is overshadowed by an even darker issue off it. There’s no place for racism in our game, and it’s time for the club and its fans to reflect on how far we've strayed from what truly matters. It's time to bring back the flair, the excitement, and most importantly, the respect. 🖤❤️

On a different note where is Luamon Lual?

In his fifth Olympics, Patty Mills, who turns 36 on 11 August, delivered a gallant performance, scoring 26 points in the Boomers' overtime loss to Serbia in the quarter-finals. Mills, the second highest all-time points scorer for the Boomers behind Andrew Gaze, has cemented his legacy as one of Australia's basketball greats.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Arisa Trew from Queensland, made history by becoming Australia's youngest gold medalist, winning the women's park skateboarding event with a spectacular final run that earned her a score of 93.18.

🌟 Meet 19-year-old Salma Celeste Paralluelo Ayingono, a powerhouse from Zaragoza with a rich blend of Spanish and Equatorial Guinean heritage. 🇪🇸🇬🇶

From capturing the U-17 World Cup and European Championship in 2018 to the U-20 World Cup title in 2022, Salma has been the heartbeat of Spain's football journey. ⚽️ Not just a football prodigy, she bagged gold in the 400m hurdles and relay events at the Olympic Youth Festival in 2019. 🥇🏃🏽‍♀️

A setback in 2021 saw Salma sidelined for 9-months with a torn ACL, but with unmatched dedication, she bounced back to sign with European football titans, Barcelona F.C. in 2022. 💪🏽

Now, in 2023, she's making waves in the World Cup final. A beacon of Spain's football prowess and a symbol of the deep ties between Spain and its once-colonised African nation, Equatorial Guinea.

Join us in cheering for this remarkable athlete as she continues to inspire and break barriers!

As one Kuol left for Europe another Kuol was preparing to return. Central Coast Mariners re-sign 22-year-old striker Alou Kuol from VfB Stuttgart in Germany.

Alou's remarkable goal for the Olyroos at the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup earned him a nomination for the FIFA Puskás award.

The Mariners look set to continue their exciting brand of football into next season.