SOUTH TANGERANG — To celebrate 75 years of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations, two Australian soccer stars, Josh Kennedy and Gema Simon, visited Dompet Dhuafa’s Al Syukro Universal Islamic College. They held a special football training for students from the Australia-Indonesia Building Relationship through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE) School program at Al Syukro Ciputat Islamic Elementary School, on Tuesday (10/9/2024).
Since 2019, Dompet Dhuafa Universal Al Syukro Islamic College has been collaborating in the BRIDGE School Partnership program. In the lively ‘Soccer Clinic Activity’, Josh and Gema directly trained elementary, junior high, and high school students of Perguruan Islam Al Syukro Universal on various basic soccer techniques. Starting from passing, receiving the ball, dribbling, to other basic techniques.
The students were invited to practice directly under the guidance of these international athletes. Not only that, there was also a golden opportunity for students to interact directly to ask about tips and tricks for playing soccer professionally.
Josh Kennedy is a former Socceroos player, the Australian national men’s soccer team. He has played in 36 soccer matches. Gema is a former player of Matilda, the Australian national women’s soccer team, who played until 2019.
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Parni Hadi, Initiator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation expressed his high appreciation for the visit of the Australian Embassy and Australian national athletes at Al Syukro Universal Islamic College, He hopes that cooperation between the two parties can continue to be improved, especially in improving the experience and abilities of children.
“Australia-Indonesia partner for progress, partner for happiness, (translation: partner for progress, partner for happiness)” said Parni Hadi.
The visit of the Australian national athletes was accompanied by Kristopher Maslin, First Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Australian Embassy Jakarta. He revealed that this collaboration was very enthusiastic to celebrate the diplomatic relationship between Australia and Indonesia.
“The Australian embassy is really happy to work with our Bridge School Partners um today we’re here to do a football clinic as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Australia Indonesia diplomatic relations but also tonight’s game between Australia and Indonesia. Australian Indonesia are both sport loving nations and so we’re really excited to bring both Gemma and Josh here to Indonesia to celebrate those connections. I’m really excited to have the guys work with some athletes, schools and also some other uh community groups, (The Australian Embassy is very happy to work with BRIDGE School Partners. Today we’re here to do soccer training, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Australia and Indonesia’s diplomatic relations. But also tonight’s match between Australia and Indonesia. Australia Indonesia are both sport-loving countries so we’re really excited to bring Gemma and Josh to Indonesia, the school to host a series of trainings to really celebrate that connection. I’m really excited to have people working with some of the school amputees and also some other community groups),” Khristopher said.
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The BRIDGE program connects schools in Indonesia with partner schools in Australia, and builds links between the Indonesian and Australian school communities, as well as providing access to new knowledge and skills for Indonesian and Australian teachers.
BRIDGE has been running for 16 years in Indonesia and has so far established 253 Indonesia – Australia school partnerships. The BRIDGE Australia-Indonesia School Partnership Program is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) at the University of Melbourne.
This activity initiated by the Australian Embassy Jakarta has a significant impact on extracurricular soccer programs in schools. Through training provided by Australian national team players, students gain new insights into professional soccer techniques that can be applied in daily games.
“We are enthusiastic and from Dompet Dhuafa also support activities like this, because indeed this is the goal for students and students, because we want to teach and familiarize children to have a global outlook in accordance with Al Syukro’s vision,” said Cici Kurniasih as Director of Al Syukro Universal Islamic College.
Al Syukro Universal Islamic University is one of the implementations of productive waqf that benefits many people. The management of education at the level of KB/TK, SD, SMP and SMA Islam Al Syukro Universal is a mandate that is carried out in order to provide integrated, sustainable and meaningful education services. By using an integrated management system that ensures quality education management standards, as well as supporting facilities oriented to the learning needs of students.
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Dompet Dhuafa’s Al Syukro Universal Islamic College hopes that this kind of activity can be sustainable, so that the school continues to grow and students can gain new experiences and knowledge regularly. The ultimate goal of this program is to equip students with international insights from an early age, in order to prepare them to become a global generation in the future.
“It’s been incredible I’ve loved every minute of it. We appreciate you guys having us and hopefully they enjoyed it as much as we did, it’s been incredible I’ve loved every minute of it
we appreciate it hopefully they enjoyed it as much as we did),” said Gema.
“Yeah the same, we’re grateful to have the invitation of this with our government and to connect to the local Indonesian community Bridge School program as well so we’re fortunate to be here lucky and we hope that the kids had a good time and obviously all the staff thank you for the help to make this happen,” Josh said.
The enthusiasm of the students was evident as they practiced with gusto. This activity not only provides valuable experience for the students, but also inspires them to continue developing their interest in soccer.
Talita and Qisya, 6th grade students of Al Syukro Universal Elementary School admitted that they were happy and did not expect to be able to learn directly with the kangaroo country athletes. Talita revealed that she got a lot of lessons, one of which was how to work together with the team.
“Earlier we played soccer, learned basic techniques such as passing and dribbling, happy because we can meet and learn directly, try new experiences. I didn’t expect to just play suddenly directly with athletes, especially seeing Gema as a female athlete so I want to be an athlete too,” said Talita. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Dhika Prabowo