World Footy News

The following article by Bence Hamerli for the SBS website looks at the work Bachar Houli, the Richmond AFL footballer, is doing in the western suburbs of Sydney – a state away from his home in Melbourne – to prepare young Muslim footballers for the Bachar Houli Cup.

 

(Picture: Students from Al Faisal College playing in the 2014 Bachar Houli Cup – www.localnewsplus.com )

 

AFL player Bachar Houli has travelled to western Sydney to meet with Islamic school kids for the Bachar Houli Cup.

 

 

On his day off from Richmond training, Bachar Houli travelled to Western Sydney to meet about 200 Islamic students.

 

The kids were happy to miss school, but hopefully learned plenty in the process.

 

"If we can create good leadership within these young boys it goes a long way to building the community as a much stronger place to be around," said Houli, the first devout Muslim from a Lebanese background to play in the AFL.

 

Houli once grappled with the decision to attend the national draft camp during Ramadan. Now he says religion makes it easier to play football.

 

The games at the NSW Bachar Houli Cup were played with makeshift goals set up on soccer pitches.

 

Although the Tigers star would prefer the participants all took up Aussie Rules, more than that he wants them to pursue their dreams and live positive lives.

 

“There’s some fantastic talent but what we’re trying to teach these young boys is that it's all about hard work as well. Natural talent doesn't get you there alone.”

 

GWS midfielder Stephen Coniglio was also on hand to offer advice.

 

He said only 2 percent of AFL players came from multicultural backgrounds, and Western Sydney was one place the league was trying to make strides in this area.

 

Granville Boys High teacher Andrew Rutherford said Bachar Houli was a perfect role model for Islamic youth.

 

“A lot of the time us teachers at school notice that boys just lack that self-confidence and belief to actually have a go, and sometimes the perseverance to really work hard towards a goal, and I think he - along with a few others as well - are just a shining light.”

 

The tournament was played last week in the western Sydney suburb of Auburn, featuring seven school teams. The following article from Martin Walsh for the Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser further details the event.

 

STUDENTS from Al-Faisal College, Campbelltown represented the region in a Australian football competition, Bachar Houli Cup, at Progress Park, Auburn on May 27.

 

The cup, named after former Richmond player Bachar Houli, engaged more than 200 students from Islamic schools in western Sydney to promote the sport and life skills including teamwork and good sportsmanship.

 

Al-Faisal College won one game and lost two throughout the tournament.

 

While Unity Grammar College, Austral won the competition, the cup’s focus was on what the students got out of the experience and be surrounded by positive role models in the sport.

 

Bachar Houli and Giants midfielder Stephen Coniglio attended the event to offer advice to the students to excel in the sport.

 

Al-Faisal College coach Omar Khan was encouraged by the initiative.

 

‘‘It’s great for our boys to get out there and learn a sport like Australian Rules and compete against other schools," he said.

 

“Through the Bachar Houli Cup they also learn the importance of sportsmanship and physical activity.

 

‘‘It’s rewarding to see them understand these principals.