(2/3) I always loved soccer growing up. I wanted to play professionally. When I came to Melbourne, I got involved through my club as a volunteer for the 2008 Homeless World Cup, an event organised by The Big Issue, where homeless players from 52 different countries came to Melbourne to play each other. It was a great event, and I made friends from all over the world – Ecuador, Israel, Japan…

Everyone has been very welcoming in Australia. I’ve been to England a few times to watch games, and when I spoke to people about their team winning, they would ask me if I was English, and when I said, no, they would say, then it’s none of your concern. But here, if you wear the green and gold, everyone embraces you.

That’s the beauty of this country.

Michael
Malaysia / Singapore
Arrived 2008

This is the first of a series of stories from Melbourne. Thanks very much to those who have already contributed to helping me get around Australia! If you would like to help support this project, please go to: www.youcaring.com/newhumansofaustralia

#migrants #migration #australia #australianstories