Festival of Football launched

Ben Drewe | 26th May 2010


TOOWOOMBA'S Festival of Football was launched yesterday, with festivities aimed at celebrating Australia’s qualification in the World Cup.

THE Socceroos fly to South Africa today and Toowoomba too is getting ready for a bout of World Cup fever.

Toowoomba’s Festival of Football was launched yesterday, with festivities aimed at celebrating Australia’s qualification for the sporting spectacle.

The World Cup commences on June 11, while the Socceroos’ first game against Germany will be played June 14 (AEST).

Festival organisers have scheduled events for the week leading up to the World Cup to get involved with the excitement.

A primary schools carnival will be staged on June 2 before an athletes with disabilities schools carnival on June 4.

Former Socceroos coach Rale Rasic will be the guest of honour at the festival’s grand dinner at Rumours on June 4.

Rasic guided Australia to its first World Cup in 1972 and Festival of Football chairman Julian Turner invites everyone to the dinner to take in the festival patron’s view on soccer.

“He’s up for most of that week. He’s a very, very interesting man,” Turner said of Rasic.

“He was the first Socceroos coach (at the World Cup) and he’s got some great stories.

“And that night at Rumours, we’re going to have a dinner, and everyone is invited to come along.”

June 5 is also the date for the festival’s gala games at Captain Cook Reserve.

And while the festival’s events are player-focused, Turner hopes all soccer fans will get involved.

“It’s for everybody,” he said.

Information on the Festival of Football can be found at www.footballtoowoomba.org.au.


http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/05/26/toowoomba-gears-up-for-cup-festival/