AFL launches 2012 Multicultural Round

Round 14 of the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will be dedicated to celebrating Multicultural Round.

This year, the theme of the round is “Many cultures, one game. Australia’s game.” and will celebrate how the AFL promotes diversity and inclusion as key aspects of the game’s presence in the Australian community.

In NSW and the ACT, we have a proud history of multicultural inclusion from the top level down. Multicultural Round recognises the contribution of diverse cultures and how they have made our sport a reflection of the modern Australian society.

AFL NSW/ACT work actively to engage Australia’s diverse population of all ages. In Sydney alone, more than 35 per cent of residents were born overseas, and our programs bring together people from more than 20 different communities including Chinese, Lebanese, African and Arabic.

On the sport’s highest level, GWS GIANTS player and Multicultural Ambassador Israel Folau says the AFL’s effort to embrace diverse cultures has allowed him to re-connect with his Tongan culture, and share the sport internationally.

The 2012 Multicultural Round Ambassadors – Majak Daw, Israel Folau, Nic Naitanui, Karmichael Hunt, Harry O’Brien, Joel Wilkinson, Bachar Houli and David Rodan

“I’m very proud of my Tongan heritage. Through my role as a Multicultural Ambassador with the AFL I have been lucky enough to go back to Tonga to help promote the game there,” he said.

“Multicultural Round is a great chance for us to celebrate how many different cultures and players from different backgrounds enjoy AFL, not just at the top level here in Australia, but at a grass roots level and all over the world.”

Sydney Swans player Eugene Kruger says AFL helped him transition into Australian life when he moved from South Africa. Kruger is buoyed by the number of players from diverse background playing in the AFL, a fact he believes deserves recognition.

“It is also encouraging to see so many other players at the Swans or plying their trade at other clubs who are from different backgrounds or born or lived in other countries. Multicultural Round is an important initiative to recognise how diverse Australian Football really is.”

This year, the AFL wants to celebrate the efforts to embrace the many cultures in Australia that have been made across all levels of the game, and welcome new fans and players into our community. As Australia’s indigenous game, it is important that a game steeped in history can adapt and improve to integrate the changing demographics of Australian society.

The Federal Immigration Minister and Member for McMahon in Sydney’s west, Chris Bowen, commended the AFL’s special Multicultural Round and said the sport continued to embrace and promote Australia’s diversity.

“The game itself reflects and celebrates our diverse cultures and is accessible to Australians from all walks of life. And the AFL do some great work in our communities to make sure it stays that way,” Mr Bowen said.

“Whether it’s as a player, coach, official – or a simply as a fan like myself – Aussie Rules football is a sport that everyone can participate in. The Multicultural Round is a great way to recognise that.”

Multicultural Ambassador and Sydney Swans player Trent Dennis-Lane, whose father is Burmese, says the AFL more than capably reflects the diverse modern Australian culture.

“It’s so great to see so many players of different cultures and nationalities running around in the AFL today. AFL truly is an inclusive game that appeals to people from all different backgrounds and I’m so proud to be a part of that,” he said.

The AFL’s Multicultural program is designed to facilitate the participation of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The program aims to provide people from diverse cultures with an opportunity to be involved as players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and fans.

The AFL multicultural program delivers a range of initiatives that encourage CaLD (culturally and linguistically diverse) young people, families and recent arrivals to Australia to discover more about Australian Football and the opportunities we can offer.

For more information on the program, please contact Nickie Flambouras, Multicultural Program Manager on

　

　

　

nickie.flambouras@aflnswact.com.au