THE Bendigo Karen community has a permanent place to play their national sport, caneball, at the Eaglehawk Tennis Club on Crowther Street.<\/p>\n
Also known as sepak takraw or kick volleyball, the sport uses a woven rattan ball, elevated net and specific line marking.<\/p>\n
The Bendigo Karen Youth Network worked alongside the City of Greater Bendigo, Sports Focus, and the Eaglehawk Tennis Club to include two free-to-use caneball courts as part of a facility redevelopment, which included new surfacing, fencing and line marking.<\/p>\n
BKYN committee member Nay Chee Aung said they have been advocating for a permanent court for many years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic, it\u2019s almost unbelievable because we know across the state our community has been trying to find a place to play caneball, and haven\u2019t been successful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels like it\u2019s a privilege to get this opportunity for young people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caneball is one of the three most popular sports in south Asia alongside soccer and volleyball and is the national sport of Myanmar.<\/p>\n
Mr Aung said being able to play the sport whenever they want will help connect Karen refugees with an important part of their identity.<\/p>\n
\u201cCaneball is one of the sports that makes you feel like you\u2019re home and now that we have a permanent court it\u2019ll definitely make us feel like we\u2019re settled and at home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt provides an opportunity for young people to come together, not just in Bendigo where we have a lot of young Karen people but also from across Victoria, to come along, visit our beautiful city and at the same time participate in the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can host events whenever it\u2019s appropriate so we can continue to encourage and engage with young people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt reflects on the city being sport inclusive and I think that\u2019s fantastic. We get to showcase what caneball is to the broader community and encourage people to give it a go.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Saturday, 16 July at 2pm a come and try day will be held at the courts for anyone who wants to experience the sport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Bendigo Karen community has a permanent place to play their national sport, caneball, at the Eaglehawk Tennis Club on Crowther Street. Also known as sepak takraw or kick volleyball, the sport uses a woven rattan ball, elevated net and specific line marking. The Bendigo Karen Youth Network worked alongside the City of Greater Bendigo, […]<\/p>\n