Both National Premier League clubs have refugees among their senior ranks and agree this week’s celebrations are right at home in the football world.

“Through courage let us all combine” taken from the second verse of the national anthem is the theme for 2016 National Refugee Week," Bendigo City FC president Robyn Williams said.

“What better place for this to happen that on the pitch playing the world game."

Williams said Bendigo City prided itself on its multicultural mix of players and families. 

The stories behind how players and families have arrived in Bendigo and found themselves wearing the Bendigo strip are many and varied.

“Whether seeking refugee or migrating to Australia our senior player group are a special bunch of young men who together are starting to kick goals on and off the pitch,” Williams said.

Wahid Hashimi’s long journey to Bendigo City FC started in Afghanistan. 

Seeking refuge in Australia with his family, 

Wahid was warmly welcomed by the Castlemaine community.

“Wahid’s a devout Muslim who is a larger than life comical character,” Williams said. 

“He loves life and football, giving one hundred percent on and off the field.”

More recently September Htoo Moo, Eh Soo Seven and Say Ka Pow found themselves in Bendigo. 

The three Karen boys grew up in refugee camps in Thailand and have taken varied paths to all end up in central Victoria.

“The young men who’ve given so much to their new home have been embraced by the Bendigo soccer community at large,” said Robyn.

Bendigo Amateur Soccer League played a big part in helping all four young men find their place in the community with Hashimi originally playing for Castlemaine, Htoo Moo playing for Strathdale and Ka Pow and Seven being Golden City favourites.

Behind the scenes at Bendigo City FC is Lino Lay. 

Lino made Australia home in 1980 after fleeing East Timor.

Originally arriving in Gippsland, Lino has been in Bendigo for many years. 

A great cook and keen photographer, Lino is a great clubman who chips away behind the scenes.

Committee member and catering manager Alba Panetta says: “No one cooks a parma like Lino!”

Play gets underway this Saturday at Epsom Huntly Recreational Reserve with the under-20s kicking off at 3pm and the seniors at 5.15pm.