Roxburgh Park FC’s AFL Multicultural Gala Day has taught more than 200 people from diverse backgrounds a powerful lesson that it doesn’t matter where you come from, Australian Football leaves nobody out.
By JAMES SZABO
ROXBURGH Park Football Club’s AFL Multicultural Gala Day has taught more than 200 people from diverse backgrounds a powerful lesson they will never forget – it doesn’t matter where you come from, Australian Football leaves nobody out.
In partnership with AFL Victoria, the inaugural Gala Day left all attendees with a positive experience that would demonstrate the inclusiveness community football clubs are of people from all backgrounds.
The day was also successful in helping Roxburgh Park Football Club fulfil its mission of celebrating cultural diversity in the game, while creating a sense of belonging for the people around the community.
The Gala, which was a culmination of a four-week program run in local Primary Schools, involved many different activities for kids and their families, including a special skills clinic, AFL 9’s games and a chance to interact with five North Melbourne AFL stars.
The participants also enjoyed playing on the AFL inflatables and handball targets, as well as the opportunity to share a free halal BBQ with their families and new friends.
In order to help communicate the rules of Australian Football, the Roxburgh Park Football Club provided flyers explaining the sport in 12 different languages, as well as a video and various AFL Multicultural Ambassadors discussing the game to attendees in their native dialect.
Enjoying the festivities was former AFL player and current Coburg VFL star Ahmed Saad, who spoke to families about the upcoming Bachar Houli Academy intake program which provides a pathway for young Muslim men aspiring to play AFL football.
AFL Victoria North West Football Development Manager, Mark Morgan, said sport was a great way to engage with newly migrated communities.
“The AFL Multicultural Gala Day was able to further highlight the extraordinary power Australian Football has in bringing people together regardless of their background,” Morgan said.
“The Roxburgh Park Football Club was ecstatic with how many new faces came down to have a look at the club but more importantly participate in the event and sharing in the inclusive culture that football provides.
“It also showed that the enjoyment and positivity the game creates will help it continue to be used as an effective vehicle in helping newly migrated families assimilate into Australian culture.”
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