ON BEHALF of everyone at Supersport United FC I would like to thank the Queensland Premier, Mr Peter Beattie, and Queensland Roar FC Chairman, John Ribot, for the special opportunity they have afforded us by inviting us to participate in this historic event in Brisbane.

Australia is a wonderful country with fantastic people and we are delighted to be coming.

We are particularly pleased to honour the ‘Queensland Roars Against Racism’ theme that surrounds this event. As proud South Africans, we recognise the power of sport to send strong social messages and effect change - and the campaign against racism is one which we not only identify with but strongly support.

We also recognise and respect the manner in which Australia approaches sports development and can only admire the world class sportsmen and woman that Australia has produced over the years.

In terms of team sports, South Africa and Australia have enjoyed some thrilling rivalries in Cricket and Rugby. We are hoping that this tour will serve as a great starting point for more interaction and competitive spirit, but this time in the ‘beautiful game’ of football.

Football is the number one sport on the African continent and by far the most popular sport in South Africa. Never before has football held such great prominence in our country as it does now – just three years away from our hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals.

The privilege and responsibility of hosting one of the world’s greatest events has inspired all of us in the game to give absolutely everything we have to raising our standards and setting a platform for football which will sustain the game and all its stakeholders in the decades ahead.

As one of the leading clubs in the Premier Soccer League of South Africa, all of us at Supersport United FC are proud to represent South African football on your wonderful shores. We hope to exchange experiences and knowledge with you and we look forward to establishing fulfilling and meaningful friendships that will stand the test of time and continue to grow in the years ahead.

From our Chairman Mr Khulu Sibiya to our Captain Ricardo Katza and everyone at the Club, we stand united with you in the Queensland Roars Against Racism campaign.