The debate, held at the Whitten Oval on Wednesday night, was the third such event. This year's topic was: "It's better to make music than kick goals."

Braybrook students were on the affirmative team and members of the Maribyrnong Refugee Week Organising Committee on the negative.

Year 11 student Najib Warsame opened the debate with the Western Bulldogs club song. "The Bulldogs like to kick goals, but where would they be without their song? Just a bunch of guys kicking a ball around. Sport needs music, but music doesn't need sport."

Social worker Duku Wolikare rebutted by arguing that sport was better for people. "If you ever want [to have good] health, to be fit and to be strong and to be attractive, sport is the best way to go."

Year 12's Monaliza Tebeje then showed the crowd a picture of Carlton footballer Chris Judd after he was injured on the field. "Does this look healthy to you?"

She said athletes were often in the news for the wrong reasons, such as using drugs or other misbehaviour.

In contrast, Claudia Ribeiro, who has worked in overseas refugee camps, argued that sport brought people together in a way that music couldn't. "Sports build bridges. Sport puts us together. We don't need to be superstars to play sport, or watch it."

The last affirmative speaker, year 10 student Bishara Warsame, concluded that the competitive nature of sport alienated people. "No matter how [sport is played], there's going to be a winner and a loser, but with music there's no pressure." She illustrated her point with a toy guitar.

The negative team's final speaker, Deng Alier, a Sudanese refugee, said the cost of musical equipment meant it wasn't accessible to everyone like sport. He also said music could be very harmful. "When you break up with someone, oh my God, don't listen to music."

Judges Geoff Gardiner of City West Water, Michael Apout of the New Hope Foundation and Footscray West Primary teacher Kaye Cameron said both sides had argued convincing cases, but declared the affirmative team winners.

The Building Bridges Cultural Games booklet was also launched on the night. Dinjeera Primary School pupils demonstrated kewirgei, a children's game from Kenya, for the audience.