World Footy News

The Australian Football League today launched the 2012 Toyota AFL Multicultural Round, a themed round to acknowledge and celebrate our game’s cultural diversity.

AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon, AFL Legend Alex Jesaulenko, AFL Hall of Fame member Stephen Silvagni and AFL Multicultural Ambassador Nic Naitanui were in attendance. 

 

The 2012 Toyota AFL Multicultural Round will celebrate ‘Many Cultures. One Game’ and will highlight the community engagement initiatives of the Australian football industry, as well as the many players from culturally diverse backgrounds who make up 14 per cent of the AFL player list and represent 39 countries.    

This year the AFL Multicultural Program will ensure that more than 20,000 people from migrant families experience an AFL game and will come into contact with their own local football community.

The Australia Post AFL Multicultural Schools Program will be implemented in more than 300 schools and 25 staff members are employed by the AFL and clubs to deliver the program.

Multicultural talent academies have been held in each state and the World XVIII and South Pacific teams will again participate in the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships in July.

AFL General Manager National and International Development said it is important Australia’s game responds to and reflects the community, providing an environment which welcomes and includes people from all backgrounds.

“AFL Multicultural Round gives us a terrific opportunity to celebrate the role multicultural communities have played in the game historically and importantly to encourage new communities to enjoy our game as supporters, players or administrators in the future,” Mr. Dillon said.

AFL Multicultural Round activities include:

 

·         Umpires will use orange flags.  Orange is the international colour of harmony. 

 

·         Players from multicultural backgrounds will toss the coin.

 

·         Half time NAB AFL Auskick will include children from multicultural backgrounds.

 

·         Public Opinion Afro Orchestra will perform at the Carlton v Hawthorn match at the MCG and have also provided the backing track to the television and radio campaign.

 

·         More than 1000 AFL industry people will attend Cultural Diversity forums in Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, QLD, SA, and WA.

 

·         Various school programs, clinics and carnivals will be held throughout the week.