AFL promoting sport to Chinese parents

The AFL Multicultural Program has teamed up with Chinese Family Support Worker Anna Liu to address Chinese parents about the opportunities sport can provide their children.

Over the last two weeks, AFL Multicultural Officer Kevin Sing undertook group-talks in south Sydney educating Chinese parents about the benefits of sport, from a health and social perspective.

Anna Liu, a recent migrant from China and a parent, recently devised a program encouraging Chinese parents not to solely focus on the academic achievement of their children.

Equally as important as education, Liu believes parents should look at sports as a vehicle for their children, and the families themselves, to socialise and feel connected with the Australian culture.

A parents’ goal for their child to gain entry into a selective school can sometimes result in kids missing out on the chance to develop a range of social, health and educational skills.

”Education is considered the only pathway because in China the annual test decides your destiny,” Ms Liu told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this year.

”You study for years and you come to the three-day test and if you pass you’re OK, if you fail your life is finished.”

Sing, who has been working with the AFL for the past two years, experienced great pleasure in educating Chinese parents about the benefits of sport, health and good sportsmanship.

“The parents were really excited about the prospects of their kids getting involved in sport – especially in AFL,” Sing said.

“The response was so positive that the parents have asked me to introduce their kids to AFL next year through an after-school program.

“All kids will get great joy out of playing AFL and with any luck more talks like this will inspire parents to bring their kids along to Auskick, junior or senior clubs next year.” 

It is hoped that educating Chinese parents on the opportunities sport can provide their children will help minimise mental health issues.

”Historically, we Chinese parents always want our children to be dragons – the top one, the king,” Ms Liu said.

”The parents put all their expectations on their children, and if the children fulfil them, that brings glory. Power, wealth and glory all come from education.

”When there are mental health issues for young people in the Chinese community most of the time the cause will be academic pressure.”

The AFL will continue to work with the St George Family Support Service to arrange AFL programs for Chinese parents and children next year.

If anyone wants to find out more about the AFL’s Multicultural Program or would like to get involved can they please contact Maria Cosmidis on maria.cosmidis@aflnswact.com.au or (02) 8333 8000.