World Footy News

In a move which will combine recognition of umpires and the multicultural legacy of our great game, the word “umpire” will be printed on the back of umpire’s shirts during the upcoming multicultural round. At each AFL match during Round 19, the AFL Multicultural Round from August 7-9, officiating umpires will have the word “umpire” emblazoned on the shirts in seven different languages.

The same touch will be added to the footballs used throughout the round, with the word “Sherrin” translated into the same languages as well as the 50 metre lines on each ground. To complete the picture of wider recognition of the event matches will be broadcast in corresponding languages for each venue as well as podcasts through afl.com.au and associated apps.

Each AFL match for the round will feature a different language:

Adelaide v Richmond (Adelaide Oval) – Greek
Collingwood v Carlton (MCG) – Hindi
St Kilda v Fremantle (Etihad Stadium) – Hindi
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide (Etihad Stadium) – Mandarin
Melbourne v North Melbourne (MCG) – Mandarin
Brisbane v Gold Coast (Gabba) – Vietnamese
West Coast v Hawthorn (Domain Stadium) – Italian
Geelong v Sydney (Simonds Stadium) – Spanish
Greater Western Sydney v Essendon (Spotless Stadium) – Arabic

The AFL Multicultural Round is a key part of the wider AFL Multicultural Program nationally and internationally. The afl.com.au website states “the Multicultural Round highlights the contribution multicultural communities have made to the game and welcomes new communities to embrace Australian Football as fans, players, umpires or administrators.”

To visit the Embrace Diversity website and gain an understanding of the importance of the principles behind the Multicultural Round, follow the following link: http://www.embracediversity.com/