THE Australia CommBank Joeys football side took time out from their international tour to give back to the local community with a visit to Lovu Settlement in Lautoka on Thursday.
Led by team captain Miles Milliner, the young Australian squad visited a local school where they interacted with children and enjoyed a friendly kick-around, creating a memorable experience for both the players and the community.
Milliner said the visit was a special opportunity for the team, especially as most of the players were visiting Fiji for the first time.
“It was really special to get the opportunity to visit a local school and connect with the community,” Milliner said.
“Being in a country we haven’t really been to before, it’s important for us to be exposed to the people and the environment around us.”
He said the experience helped the players appreciate what they have back home while also understanding the diversity of life in different countries.
“In a way, it made the boys appreciate what we have back home. You see the diversity in how people live, and it really puts things into perspective,” he said.
Milliner added that making connections with local children was one of the highlights of the visit.
“It was really special to connect with the kids. If we can motivate them and give them a bit of hope to keep playing football in the future, then that’s something really meaningful for us,” he said.
The Australian captain said the visit was enjoyed by the entire squad and is something the team would be keen to do again in future tours.
“I think all the boys really enjoyed it. It’s definitely something we’d love to do again,” Milliner said.
