Parramatta Eels want Indian community to get into the game
Parramatta is changing for good and Indian community is driving much of this change. Everyone now wants a piece of this community in Parramatta. After an audience of 50,000 people in Parramatta Park heard Indian music legend AR Rahman sing in a live concert a few months back, it was the turn of Rugby fans to experience Indian Bhangra and Bollywood dances. On 22nd May, ANZ Parramatta Stadium became the hub of activity as rugby fans started to gather to watch Parramatta Eels fight with Cronulla Sharks.
Parramatta Leagues Club is determined to increase the participation of the Australian Indian community in the local Rugby Club and has tied up with United Indian Associations (UIA) to achieve its goal. The Pirtek Parramatta Eels CEO and Special Projects Manager Bonnie Scott met with UIA’s Executive Committee and expressed their desire to forge closer links with the Indian population of the region.
On 20th May, Parramatta Leagues Club CEO Paul Osborne along with Eels players Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh, Joel Reddy and Ben visited Billu’s restaurant in Harris park to invite Indian community to Rugby matches. On this occasion 200 free tickets were distributed to members of the Indian community to give them an opportunity to experience the thrill of a Rugby match. They also extended an invitation to key members of United Indian Associations to be their guest at the next match with Cronulla sharks at ANZ Parramatta stadium and hosted them in their Corporate Box.
While the Eels lost the match by 22-18, the enthusiasm of the crowds did not wane as they were made to witness a powerful Bhangra performance during mid break. Dressed in colourful Indian attires, scores of Indian boys and girls descended on the ground and danced on the occasion. Their performance ended with the popular AR Rahman song Jai Ho. The audience also watched UIA President Aruna Chandrala’s on screen invitation to attend UIA Australia India Friendship Fair to be held on 15 August 2010 at Olympic Park.
A few months back Paul Osborne had visited India and also sought help of a few Bollywood stars to pitch Rugby to potential Parramatta fans from the Indian community living in Australia. He has made it a mission to attract more fans to the club and is targeting the Indian community in Western Sydney to increase the reach of the game along with membership of the club. Talking to The Indian, Paul Osborne said, “We are looking forward to getting more people from the Indian community and are also participating in the UIA Fair and will be holding classes for young children from the Indian community.”
Listen to Paul Osborne by clicking on the below link:
Paul Osborne talks to Rohit Revo
Aruna Chandrala said, “Recognising the growing importance of the Indian community in Western Sydney and UIA’s leading role as the key organisation representing the interests of the Indian community.”
Listen to Aruna’s short interview below.
Aruna Chandrala talks to Rohit Revo
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