History of Oromo Soccer Club in Victoria

History of Oromo Soccer Club in Victoria

The Oromo Soccer Club was first established in 1992 under the name of Odda Soccer Club. The Club was

established in Footscray where majority of Oromo migrants first settled. They then approached Maribyrnong city

council to organise local soccer tournament among various ethnic communities i.e.Vetnamese, Fijian, chillian etc.

The purpose of the club was to increase social activities among our community members and reduce isolation.

As many of our community members have been through difficult times during migration, such sporting based

social interaction was vital to us. The club participated in Maribyrnong City Council soccer tournament until the

end of 1994.

In 1995 the club better organised with the arrival of more young Oromos and joined Amateur Soccer Federation

of Victoria. Although the first year only one team was registered to participate in the tournament, the following

year the team increased to the senior’s and reserve’s team. It was the best thing that happened in our

community as it engaged most youth and kept them away from developing bad habits. The tournament carried

out all over Melbourne and even travelled as far as Ballarat. Those who did not play the game also came to

support the team and this was including our female youth. 1998 the club has changed it’s name from Odda to

Oromiyaa Cultural and Recreation club to boost membership. In that same year one of our stryker won the

leading goal scorer and best and fairest player of the year cup in our group of twelve clubs (24 teams, reserves

and seniors). This boosted