The Australian Football League today launched Multicultural Round, a themed round to acknowledge and celebrate our game’s cultural diversity.

The launch took place at Aegis Park, where a clinic was held for children from multicultural backgrounds.

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, the Hon. Nicholas Kotsiras (MP), North Melbourne Football Club Chief Executive Eugene Arocca and AFL Community Engagement Manager Jason Mifsud were in attendance. 

Player representatives were Drew Petrie (North Melbourne). Majak Daw (North Melbourne), Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs) and Harry O’Brien (Collingwood),

AFL Multicultural Round will celebrate ‘Many Cultures. One Game’ and will highlight the community engagement initiatives currently being undertaken by the Australian football industry, as well as the many players from culturally diverse backgrounds, who make up nine per cent of the AFL player list.    

Since it started in 2005, the AFL Multicultural Program has ensured that more than 50,000 people from migrant families have experienced AFL games and come into contact with their own local football communities.

The AFL Multicultural Schools Program has been implemented in more than 300 schools and 10 Multicultural Development Officers are employed by the AFL and based at clubs.

AFL Community Engagement Manager Jason Mifsud said it is critical our game responds to, and reflects Australia’s changing demographics.  

“AFL Multicultural Round gives us a terrific platform to celebrate the role multicultural communities have played in the game over the last 150 years and importantly to encourage new communities to enjoy our game as supporters, players or administrators in the future.

“Australian football has the extraordinary power to bring people together regardless of their background and we respect this position enormously.  

“The AFL will increase its investment in multicultural programs and will continue to take a leadership position, providing opportunities and ensuring our game is inclusive and accessible to everyone,” Mr. Mifsud said.

Speaking at the launch today, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, the Hon. Nicholas Kotsiras said he celebrated the capacity of Australian football to unite people from diverse backgrounds.

“We acknowledge that Victoria provides the template for multicultural success in Australia, so we respect and pay tribute to the AFL’s achievements in this field.

“The AFL commitment to multiculturalism is a year-round effort, a dedicated Multicultural Round offers some fantastic opportunities to raise and promote multicultural issues and initiatives. I urge you to make the most of them,” said Minister Kotsiras.

North Melbourne Chief Executive Eugene Arocca highlighted the work his club is doing to engage diverse communities and acknowledged the importance of celebrating Multicultural Round.

“We are proud of the work we do through The Huddle to engage members of diverse and emerging communities.  Australian Football is a powerful tool for building social cohesion and Multicultural Round is a great opportunity to extend and promote that work,” said Mr Arocca.

Multicultural Round activities include:

  • Umpires will use orange flags. Orange is the international colour of harmony
  • Players from multicultural backgrounds will toss the coin
  • Half time NAB AFL Auskick will include children from multicultural backgrounds
  • The World XVIII team and a South Pacific team will compete in the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships this week
  • Cultural Diversity forums will be held in Victoria, NSW, QLD, SA and WA
  • North Melbourne will host activities at Aegis Park on Sunday prior to the game at Etihad Stadium against the Western Bulldogs. A match between the NMFC Indigenous Academy and the Multicultural Academy will be held from 2.00pm
  • A community walk from Aegis Park to Etihad Stadium will take place, with participants from North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs communities coming together. Key historical and cultural landmarks will be recognised along the way and members from Victoria Police will also take part
  • Artists from the Victorian Multicultural Arts will perform on the concourse at Etihad Stadium outside Gate 7 from 3.30pm. Entertainment will include performances by the Burundian Drummers, Brazilian Drummers and the Asanti Dance Theatre
  • A Multicultural super clinic will take place before the Melbourne and Port Adelaide game at TIO Stadium, Darwin on Saturday July 16
  • A Harmony Match between the Edmund Rice Lions and Indigenous Academy will be held in Perth on Friday July 15 at midday, Barry Britton Oval (Balga)
  • A special Multicultural edition of Flash Footy will air on Foxsports on Wednesday July 13 at 7.00pm