World Footy News

The following is a story from the Coburg Football Club’s website which looks at how two of its Muslim footballers balance their celebration of Ramadan and football. Towards the end the article also looks at a cross-section of the cultural backgrounds of a club in suburban Melbourne – their case is not unique as the multicultural growth in footy goes from grass roots to the highest level. It is nevertheless an interesting example. The story by Adrian Dixon can be found at: http://coburgfc.com.au/lions-stars-embracing-culture/

 

One aspect that the Coburg Football Club prides itself on is its diversity with regards to its multiculturalism.

 

As the suburb of Coburg is based in the City of Moreland, there are many different cultures that represent the municipality, whether it be the background of their heritage or what religion they believe in.

 

And while the AFL encourages its clubs, at both league and state level to promote their multicultural stories among its players and staff, it provides great publicity for clubs like the Lions in order to increase its awareness.  

 

Two of Coburg’s higher profile players, Ahmed Saad and Ozgur Uysal both share the Muslim Heritage. Ahmed was born to Egyptian Parents in Australia, and moved there for a few years before returning to Australia. Ozgur is of Turkish descent. The pair grew up in Melbourne’s North West, Roxburgh Park where both managed their junior football for the local club there, although Ozgur later on in his junior career moved to Greenvale (who he still has aligned as his local club).

 

As well documented, Ahmed returned to the VFL this season following a stint in the AFL with St.Kilda, while Ozzie first played for Coburg in 2010 having come out of the TAC Cup system with the Calder Cannons as a 23rd man.

 

And at this time of year, most Muslims in Australia are entering the phase of Ramadan. The word ‘Ramadan’ is derived from the Arabic word meaning “Intense Heat, Scorched Ground and Shortness of Food and Drink.”

 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. During this month, it is seen by Muslims as a period of prayer, fasting, charity giving and self-accountability. For each year during the regular calendar, it begins either towards the end of Autumn or Winter months, and it lasts for a month. This year, it began on the seventh of June, only a few days after Coburg’s big win over Richmond.

 

What the day consists of for both Ozzie and Ahmed are that the fast during the daylight hours- which as a result means they are not to consume any food whatsoever, until the evening hours of the day.

 

“It’s a month where we fast from dawn till dusk, sunrise till sunset, it’s an opportunity for us to be grateful for what we have and to get closer to God and do as many good deeds as possible.”

 

While the fasting period you’d imagine would have an effect on the players in regards to performance, it wasn’t necessarily the case on the weekend. Ahmed managed a match-winning six goal performance on the weekend, while Ozzie arguably had his best performance of the season where he managed 26 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances.

 

“I’ve been doing it since I was eight years old. Here in Australia we are doing it easy, we are breaking our fast at ten past five unlike my family in Egypt who are doing it much tougher they end up fasting until about 8:30-9PM at night and its 35 degrees. it make us feel for the poor and for the less fortunate and as a result it’s a great opportunity to for us to fed the poor and help who is in need."

 

Further to clarify the current list is made up of players with many different heritages. Danny Younan is from a Lebanese background, Featherstone is of Welsh descent with his name originating from Poland, Dion Hill is New Zealand Maori, Mark Kovacevic Croatian, Nick Robortella, Josh Iacobacco Michael Ercolano & Adam Valeri are all Italian, Garrett McDonagh Irish, Kyle Staples is born to an English parent, and Richard Bamblett and Michaelis McMasters are Indigenous Australians. Assistant and Forward Line Coach Adam Campbell was born and lived in New Zealand before moving to Victoria, while High Performance Manager Derek McConn migrated to Australia from Ireland.

 

All of these different cultures represented within the club are what represents us as a strong community and cultured focused club at Coburg.

 

The AFL’s Multicultural Round will be played in Round 16 from 7-10 July as a recognition of the role played by people of multicultural backgrounds at all levels of the game both in Australia and across the world.