World Footy News

The VFL's Williamstown Seagulls held their inaugural Asian Community Football Day this weekend, with VAFA side the Southern Dragons taking on the Williamstown Asian All-Stars as a curtain-raiser to the match between the Seagulls and AFL club Geelong's reserve side.

Instigator for the event was Grant Dooley from Williamstown FC, who previously had also worked as Consul General for Australia in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, where he helped establish the South China Australian Football League together with other local clubs and the assistance of Tony Woods and the AFL.

Williamstown FC last year announced a $10,000 sponsorship of the South China AFL, which will go towards development of the competition and recruitment of young Chinese athletes to join their clubs.

The day was hailed a great success - the Dragons eventually triumphing by 4 points, despite the All-Stars having Chinese import Chen Xiaoliang take the field for them - and Dooley hopes the event can become an annual fixture on the Williamstown FC calendar. Read on for a report from the AFL Victoria website.

Williamstown's inaugural Asian Community Football day has been hailed a success after a highly entertaining day at Burbank Oval. With a big crowd building for the Geelong vs Williamstown clash, two All-Asian football sides went head-to-head in a curtain raiser with a difference.

The Southern Dragons, who play in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, fielded one side, pitted against the Williamstown Asian All-Stars.

Despite having Chinese import Chen Xiao Liang in their midst, the All-Stars were unable to cause an upset, eventually falling by just four points.

Xiao Liang, 20, is spending time in Australia to learn more about Australian rules after showing promise in the South China Football League.

The match was followed by a super clinic at half time of the VFL blockbuster, which gave anyone looking to learn the skills of Australian Rules to come down and give it a try. Dancing dragons also grabbed the crowd’s attention and lightened up a cold and windy afternoon.

The Asian Community Day was the brainchild of Williamstown Director Grant Dooley and AFL Victoria VFL Academy coach Darren Flanigan, both of whom have played a significant role in developing the South China Football League.

Williamstown last month announced a $10,000 sponsorship of the league, a significant contribution to help develop the competition and encourage young Chinese athletes to take up the game.

Dooley, who has helped develop football clubs and leagues in Hong Kong, Indonesia and now China, through his work in Foreign Affairs, said the event was only the beginning.

“For me, sponsoring league is about giving back and at the same time hopefully lifting our credentials amongst the Asian community here,” Dooley said.

“One of 10 Australians is now from an Asian background and we need to find a way of integrating and helping pass on our love for the game.”

“Today is about being what a real community football club should be.”

“This is just the first year. We didn’t expect a huge turnout but rather to show what can be done, and hopefully next year it can be bigger again.”