Joining Forces for Change: Community Cup 2024

On a sunny Tuesday in March, the Macquarie Park Business Community Partners [Optus, Johnson & Johnson, ORIX, Tech Data and Macquarie Technology Group] brought together a total of twenty corporate teams from nine different organisations to engage in a friendly soccer tournament with the goal of ‘kicking illiteracy out of the park’.

At United Way Australia, we believe that positive change starts with community involvement; and at the core of the Community Cup is a genuine spirit of togetherness and shared purpose, creating a sense of community and belonging.

The fundraising efforts of this year’s Community Cup totaled $45,000; and that translates to 1,000 local City of Ryde children receiving a book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library every month. With the Partnership’s fundraising, these children will have the best opportunity to read, learn, and succeed at school and provide a head start in life.

It was great to witness the spirit of community and competition as invited corporate teams brought their A-game, good-natured rivalry, and competitive spirit for multiple rounds of football and finals! With 6-a-side teams, goal-posts of varying sizes, and plenty of sunshine and sunscreen, teams competed with fair play and integrity, with a chance to catch their breath as Sydney FC players Jaiden Kucharski and Mitchell Glasson challenged corporate goalies to a penalty shootout. Congratulations to Ashutosh Shetty from Johnston & Johnston Medical and Hayden Mills from Macquarie Technology Government for saving the most strikes!

After more than thirty-six games, the United Way Community Cup Perpetual Trophy was re-presented to Austcorp Executive Recruitment – successfully defending their 2023 title. Congratulations Austcorp!

If you would like to learn more about the Macquarie Park Business Community Partnership and how its community events and activities engage employees and support CSR initiatives, contact Grace Pestonji (Head of Programs – Growth & Impact) at info@unitedway.com.au