2020 AFL Multicultural Ambassadors Announced

The AFL has unveiled the 2020 AFL Multicultural Ambassadors and multicultural themed matches for the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership season.

GIANTS Captain Stephen Coniglio and AFLW player Haneen Zreika have been announced as AFL Multicultural Ambassadors alongside Sydney Swans defender Aliir Aliir.

Over the course of the year, the AFL Multicultural Ambassadors will collectively dedicate over 1000 hours of support across a variety of AFL Diversity programs and key projects as well as work closely with diverse communities to engage with people from multicultural backgrounds to connect with the game of Australian Football.

For the first time, the AFL will welcome a record number of multicultural themed games throughout the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership season to celebrate diversity.

Eleven dedicated multicultural games will be conducted by AFL Clubs across the country including the GIANTS Welcome Game against Essendon at GIANTS Stadium during Round 17 on Saturday 11 July.

In addition, all multicultural themed matches will be broadcast live in one of seven different languages including Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Dinka, Italian, Greek and Spanish to ensure people from diverse communities are able to connect with the sport.

A Multicultural Ambassador since 2014, Coniglio said that being part of the ambassador program was a great opportunity to increase the representation of multicultural communities in the elite game.

“Growing up with an Italian and British heritage, I understand the importance of embracing diversity and the sense of belonging that comes with being involved in sport,” Coniglio said.

“Diversifying our game is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen it for future generations, and I know myself and the rest of the Multicultural Ambassadors are looking forward to working with multicultural communities and getting involved with a host of AFL Diversity programs this year.

“You cannot be what you cannot see, so being part of the 2020 Multicultural Ambassador program is a great opportunity for us to be positive role models for the next generation of AFL and AFL Women’s talent and encourage people from all backgrounds to get involved in our great game.”

Coniglio, Zreika and Aliir join 16 other ambassadors who come from the AFL, AFLW, state leagues, community leagues, the Victorian Wheelchair Football League and the AFL Blind competition.

2020 AFL MULTICULTURAL AMBASSADORS:

AFL/ AFLW players:

Aliir Aliir                             (Sydney Swans)
Akec Chuot                       (Richmond)
Bachar Houli                     (Richmond)
Darcy Vescio                     (Carlton)
Dyson Heppell                  (Essendon)
Haneen Zreika                  (GWS Giants)
Lin Jong                            (Western Bulldogs)
Marty Frederick                 (Port Adelaide)
Nic Naitanui                      (West Coast Eagles)
Stephen Coniglio              (GWS Giants)
Touk Miller                        (Gold Coast Suns)

State League players:

Bior Malual                        (Werribee, VFL)
Goy Lok                            (Sandringham, VFL)

Community Football players: 

Angela Roan                     (Melbourne University, VAFA)
Michael Tang                     (Wallan, Riddell District Football League)
Brad Xavier                       (Keilor, Essendon District Football League)
Tom Jok                            (St Kevin’s, VAFA)

Victorian Wheelchair Football League: 

Judeland Antony              (St Kilda)

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