AFL’s global appeal

Photo and article from Hills Shire Times

By Evan Sieff

AFL might be Australia’s national game but that doesn’t preclude people of all ethnic backgrounds from participating at the highest level.

Local Hills footballers Lyndon Hupfeld, Brandan Clark and Peter Vezos were recently selected to participate in a three-day multicultural camp in Melbourne.

The Baulkham Hills Hawks trio boast Slovakian, Filipino/Maltese and Greek heritage respectively.

The camp brought together fifty young footballers from around the country, representing a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, to undergo testing, training and play in a trial match.

“It was a massive opportunity for us to meet other players from around Australia and to see where we have to improve our games,” said Lyndon, 15.

“It’s amazing how all these people come from different backgrounds to play the sport.”

The Hills trio, who are all members of the GWS Giants Academy, are hoping to earn a spot on the 2013 World Team at the NAB AFL Under-16s National Championships in July.