The recent allegation of racial vilification aimed at Richmond footballer Bachar Houli is a worrying sign. Whilst the journalist involved has apologised and does not recall having labelled Houli as a "terrorist", the mere fact that there might be a perceived vilifying link is disturbing on so many levels.

Whilst the ramifications go all the way to the rights of all people to a life without threats, bullying, stereotyping and fear, there is also a lesser argument that football codes, in this case Australian Rules football, will be damaged as a brand by the actions of a small minority.

This incident come just over a week after Western Bulldogs player, Lin Jong, was the target of racial slurs. His lineage is both East Timorese and Taiwanese. Richmond's Chief Executive, Brendon Gale stated to the AFL's website that ""Lin Jong is a fine young player and we should be celebrating the diversity he brings to our game."

Likewise, Bachar Houli's contribution to the game in terms of the development of multicultural markets for our game should be applauded and widely recognised. Racial slurs, whether in jest, without thought or deliberately targeted have absolutely no place in our game, or any sport, and all that can be done needs to be so stamp out racial slurs.

 

AFL Round 4 kicks off with Richmond hosting Melbourne at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday night. Five matches will be played across ANZAC Day on Saturday including the St Kilda vs Carlton match in Wellington NZ.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au.

Note Fox Soccer Plus will now be broadcasting the Port vs. Hawthorn match instead of the GWS Giants vs. Gold Coast SUNS match.

 

TSN2 will also now be broadcasting the Essendon vs. Collingwood Anzac Day match LIVE and the Geelong Cats vs. North Melbourne match on delay.

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

The Under 15 players in cairns competing in the National Diversity Championships certainly present an amazing spread of heritage and culture. Whilst the Kickstart squad is comprised of players with indigenous Australian backgrounds, the All nations squad has the criteria that one or both parents had to be born overseas (or the player themselves) to qualify.

On that criteria, the spread of multicultural talent is quite astonishing, and a pointer to the future uptake of Australian Rules football.

Throughout a series of interviews conducted at the championships, accompanied by information provided in the official record booklet, the list includes (but is not limited to):

Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), South Korea, Cambodia, Vanuatu, Afghanistan, France, Sudan, Congo, Lebanon, South Africa, Burundi, Cameroon, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Samoa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, England, Egypt.

 

AFL Round 3 kicks off with Collingwood hosting St Kilda at the MCG in Melbourne Friday night.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au.

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

It starts today. My new role as an AFL Multicultural Community Ambassador for 2015 kicks off with the opening ceremony and function here in Cairns to kick of the AFL Diversity Cup. Bought forward a little as my induction is not until next week, but footy won’t wait. Being a resident of Cairns I am front and centre for this carnival, living five minutes from Cazalys Stadium, it makes sense to start today.

The five days of gladiatorial combat between the state Kickstart indigenous teams will be a brilliant showcase of future talent. The best talent on show will make their way into the Flying Boomerangs national indigenous team or the World Team programs. To be present helping the AFL with various media roles will be an honour and a great way to start twelve months as an ambassador and try to initiate ideas, projects and programs which may assist the multicultural growth of the game here in Far North Queensland and maybe beyond.

 

AFL Round 2 kicks off tonight in Perth with West Coast Eagles hosting Carlton.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au.

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

 

AFL footy is officially back in Melbourne on Thursday night.  The season opener is Richmond vs Carlton at the MCG.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au.

The broadcast schedule can be seen below.

 

 

The NAB Challenge winds up in this fourth week, matches beginning  on Thursday night with Hawthorn taking on St Kilda at Docklands stadium.

We bring you the international broadcast schedule for these matches (below). 

The NAB Challenge heads into week three on Thursday night starting with Geelong vs Adelaide at Simonds Stadium in Geelong .

We bring you the international broadcast schedule (below). 

The NAB Challenge will move into week two Thursday night (Perth time) at Fremantle Oval in Western Australia where Fremantle will host Melbourne.

We bring you the international broadcast schedule (below).  GWS vs Suns and Port Adelaide vs West Coast will not be telecast internationally on the television networks.