Year in Review: Multicultural
Both groups have been amazingly supportive in helping the AFL to deepen their connection within the community.
In 2013, a school holiday program was run with the young people within the Korean Community and the AFL participating in the Korean Festival in Strathfield in October.
AFL NSW/ACT also worked in collaboration with the South Sudanese Community to launch a three-month participation program in Blacktown and surrounding regions which will start in early 2014.
The Multicultural Community Ambassador Program was successful in helping the AFL to deepen its connection with communities in the Sydney and Southern NSW regions.
The Ambassadors have been involved in numerous events, including participating in Multicultural Round and the Diversity Dinner, as well as program implementation and festivals.
NSW Multicultural Ambassador Sue Yeon was awarded the National Multicultural Community Ambassador of the Year Award, and Sue and her husband enjoyed the Grand Final and festivities in Melbourne as their prize.
The Multicultural Department received a grant from the Community Relations Commission which enabled an expanded presence in southern NSW and facilitated the implementation of programs in Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Albury.
The program engaged new communities throughout the region, developed vital relations with key stakeholders, and overall attracted approximately 200 participants across the six-week programs in the three regions.
Early 2013 also saw the inagaural Multicultural After-School program run in Coffs Harbour which attracted 30 young people aged between 5-16.
After a Multicultural road show across southern NSW – from Broken Hill to Wagga Wagga – four young people were identified to attend the Multicultural Talent Camp, including one from Broken Hill (Italian background), one from Griffith (Maori) and two from Wagga Wagga (Burmese background).
The team from NSW won the Unity Cup in Melbourne, with 15 excellent players from across the state and territory lucky enough to be part of an interstate experience.
Eight young players from NSW/ACT also attended the National Multicultural Camp held in Melbourne in May. From this team, three have been selected to participate in the Future Leaders Mentoring program which is currently led by new Multicultural Programs Coordinator Setanta O’Hailpin.
The GWS GIANTS also established their own themed round in August called ‘One Game, Many Cultures,’ which was a fantastic celebration of diversity and communities coming together. The Gaelic Association in NSW and Victoria were also involved in the curtain raiser which attracted many Irish people to watch the game and enjoy the festivities.
