User:Haichycroz/sandbox

Multicultural diversity in the AFL

The AFL is a sport played professionally in Australia that more and more international players are becoming apart of. In 2013 there was a total of 121 players with a multicultural background (born or at least one parent born overseas) among 817 AFL listed players. This equates to roughly 15% of AFL players. The AFL has had a major push to increase diversity within the game with current CEO Gillon McLachlan stating the game will grow by targeting the next generation of multicultural and aboriginal communities. There is already multicultural programs in place with current AFL players as ambassadors including Bachar Houli, Jimmy Toumpas, Jobe Watson, Lin Jong and more. The AFL has introduced a multicultural program which will guide young people from various cultures through programs and academies to help them to achieve the goal of playing AFL football. the AFL has hired 10 multicultural officers around Australia to assist in the development of these programs and continue growing AFL around the world.

Controversies

Joel Wilkinson

Joel Wilkinson (38)

In 2012 a Collingwood member racially abused Gold Coast Sun's player Joel Wilkinson from the crowd. Subsequently Joel Wilkinson was extremely upset from the event and decided to make a stand against racism within the sporting community. The Collingwood football club took side with Joel and stood by him with CEO Gary Pert saying that the club was extremely disappointed with the supporters comments and stripped him of his membership and saying they were proud of Dale Thomas who also put in a formal complaint to the AFL about the supporters actions as did several supporters around the incident. Joel thanked the Collingwood football club and in particular Dale Thomas for his actions but said he hoped by standing up and raising awareness that some good could come of this as he was shocked and very upset at the time.

Bachar Houli

in April 2015 radio host John Burns allegedly called Richmond Football Club player Bachar Houli a 'terrorist'. Another radio host Steve Price said he was sitting with John at the time and didn't hear anything. the accusation came from a senior Richmond staff member at a match function during the first quarter of the game. John Burns insists he doesn't recall saying racist comments aimed at Bachar and said he wasn't drunk at the time. Bachar Houli was the first muslim to play AFL after being drafted by the Essendon Football Club in 2006.

Multicultural Round in the AFL

Bachar Houli

In the AFL they now dedicate a round of football to the multicultural diversity in our game. The round is designed to promote diversity within our game and encourage all people to join and take part in AFL football. The round has grown over the years with the AFL introducing foreign commentators to commentate games throughout the weekend in 2015. the initiative has brought great promotion to the game with CEO Gillon McLachlan saying that it has became a crucial part of our industry and we will continue to put money toward building a foundation to introduce AFL football to different cultures around the world.