By Chris Chick
This weekend the football community celebrates the AFL’s Multicultural Round. Originating in 2005, the AFL Multicultural Program has ensured more than 150,000 people from migrant families have been put in touch with their local football communities and been given a chance to experience Aussie Rules.
One of those local football communities is right here in our own backyard at the Deer Park Football Club where thanks to the efforts of AFL Multicultural Ambassador Justine Curatolo, are working in conjunction with the Footscray Bulldogs VFL team to promote Multicultural Round in the west with a series of activities at the Dogs’ VFL home on Sunday July 20.
Nominated to become and AFL Multicultural Ambassador by the Western Bulldogs in 2013, Justine has been heavily involved in volunteer work within the multicultural community for many years. One example of that work was organizing an Exhibition Match between the Deer Park under 18s (who Justine team manages) and Team Africa, as well as volunteering at the AFL’s International Cup in August later this year.
According to Justine, the role sport plays in helping people from different cultures be accepted in the community is vital.
“It is crucial to ensuring social inclusion and cohesion amongst the different cultural groups,” she says.
“AFL is an integral part of Australian culture, so for children who do not understand our game, lunchtimes, group conversations or play time with friends can be isolating.
“Football is a great way to teach people team work, boundaries, manage their aggression and keep fit. To acknowledge other cultures means education, and through education we will become more tolerant and accepting of people's differences which is a good thing.”
Coaching the Deer Park under 10s team this year, Justine says that her side has a range of different cultures amongst it.
“Our team is very diverse; we have boys and girls from all cultures and backgrounds who unite over football and friendships.
“We have children from Brazil, the Phillipines, Egypt, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Afghanistan and a lot of these children speak two languages and practice their own culture at home.”
There has been a recent increase in diversity amongst participants playing AFL across the country and that in part is due to programs like Multicultural Round and the International Cup which Justine says will only continue to increase with time.
“As our population grows through immigration, it is natural that people are drawn into the AFL, it's also great to see the AFL actively acknowledging the strengths and advantages of people from other cultures and making every effort to include them.”
In celebration of Multicultural Round, the Deer Park Under 10s will play during the half time break of the VFL game between Footscray Bulldogs and Essendon this Sunday afternoon.
As a special treat, Justine has also arranged for the kids to form a guard of honor for the Bulldogs as they run back out onto the ground.
With a range of other activities planned on the day such as dancing groups, food stalls and karate demonstrations, Justine urges everyone to come down and enjoy our diverse community.
“A culturally diverse AFL is a great thing for all Australians and lovers of sport, so let’s get down and embrace it.”
Engagement Manager for AFL Victoria, Xavier Moloney, says that it is not only important for people from diverse backgrounds to embrace the game, but that the game of footy needs to embrace them as well.
“Australian Football has the extraordinary power to bring people together regardless of their background. The AFL is committed to reflecting Australia's cultural diversity, providing an environment which welcomes people from all backgrounds to enjoy our game as supporters, players, umpires or administrators.
“There are so many amazing stories to share of fans from all backgrounds who show extraordinary dedication to the game because they just love footy.
“The AFL is building relationships with many diverse communities to identify barriers and to develop strategies to encourage involvement. It’s important that we continue to embrace the community because by 2025 overseas born families will outnumber locally born families and by 2049 Australia’s population is expected to grow to 35 million, the majority of this increase will come from migrant sources. Two thirds will continue to come from Asian nations.”
The AFL has a number of fantastic initiatives going on across all games this weekend, if you want to see what they are, all information is available on afl.com.au
Follow Chris on Twitter @chrischick24
Last Modified on 18/07/2014 13:27