WS Wanderers Tarek Elrich’s plans for the future

Western Sydney Wanderers Tarek Elrich has good reason to believe football really is “the beautiful game’’.

Tarek Elrich on the run against Perth Glory in December.

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Tarek Elrich believes sport can change the world.

If not the entire world, at least the one around him.

The Western Sydney Wanderers player is a firm believer sport breaks down barriers and creates lifelong friendships and he wants to use it to educate about cultural diversity.

“I started playing with Parramatta Melita Eagles. We interacted will all races and religions and that was good, to understand everyone was different,’’ said Elrich, who received enormous support from the sports community in 2019 after the A-League star exposed a sick message which referenced both his religion and race.

“And then we all united on the weekend in games.

Craig Noone and Tarek Elrich compete for the ball during the FFA Cup quarter final match between Melbourne City FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers last September.

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“We had African boys, Asian boys, Aussie boys, me being Lebanese, a real mix.

“I am also of the Muslim faith and we didn’t celebrate Christmas. We would ask each other questions and so we learned a lot about each others country.

“I think the football broke down barriers. It’s a beautiful game.’’

The right back, who grew up in Merrylands and Auburn, is now 32 and returned to the Wanderers in 2018 after a five-year stint with Adelaide United.

Elrich, who boasts three Socceroos caps, started his career with Sydney Olympic before moving to the Newcastle Jets and the Wanderers for the first time in 2012.

Elrich said he and his older brother eventually want to start a football program in the inner west to pass on their skills and knowledge.

Tarek Elrich at a Western Sydney Wanderers training session at Bankwest Stadium.

“Our parent put myself and my brothers into a local club early, keeping us off the street and living a healthy lifestyle,’’ he said.

“Me and my older brother want to give back to the community, starting our academy and passing on some knowledge we think can help kids pick it up a lot faster.

“We hit our stride around 23, 24. We’d like to see kids progressing faster.’’

The Wanderers take on Perth Glory at Bankwest Stadium on January 19 in their round 15 clash.

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