Multicultural round comes at a good time
Roar Guru This weekend, the AFL celebrates its annual multicultural round, a time to acknowledge that the indigenous game has been sustained by Australians of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds since the rules of the game were first codified in 1859.
It’s good timing, given the well-publicised, racial slurs that were directed at Buddy Franklin, Majak Daw and Joel Wilkinson in the past couple of months.
The first two involved an individual spectator, the latter involved Western Bulldogs footballer, Justin Sherman, for which he received a four-week suspension.
The AFL first introduced its Racial and Religious Vilification Policy in 1995, becoming a world leader in the sports industry. Earlier this year, the AFL was invited to talk on the subject before the UN Human Rights council in Geneva.
As just one example of the multicultural footprint on the AFL over the last 70 years, the Italian-Australian community has produced three father-son combinations: Ron Barassi Senior and Junior; Sergio and Stephen Silvagni; and Tony and Tom Liberatore.
Today, the AFL continues the tradition with the inclusion of players from newer communities, such as Nic Naitanui, Majak Daw, Harry O’Brien and Bachar Houli.
Last night, Fox Sports dedicated a half hour special on the forthcoming multicultural round, focusing on such matters as the Auburn Tigers Football Club (a Western Sydney club fielding mens and womens’ teams with a high percentage of players of Muslim background), the work being done in the South Pacific to attract more people to the game, the ten or so Irish players currently on AFL lists, the historic international between the Italian and Irish womens teams, and the International Cup which commences on 12 August.
For the second year running, a World XVIII and a South Pacific team have entered the NAB AFL under-16 Championships, in Division Two. Both teams experienced a win in the first round and had narrow losses in their second game yesterday.
The 2011 International Cup is the fourth of its kind, having commenced in 2002, and will be the biggest held in its short history. The AFL is now actively involved and a women’s division has been introduced for the first time.
Papua New Guinea is the reigning title-holder and is likely to be too strong for the other teams, although Ireland has done a fair bit of planning. One player on the AFL list has been released to represent Ireland, while another was on an AFL list for a short period. This too is a first.
The key point is that in 2011, the multicultural round takes on a whole new meaning: ongoing respect for the diversity already contained in the game, with a hope that this diversity will be extended both within and without.
- Explore:
- AFL, Joel Wilkinson, justin sherman
July 15th 2011 @ 11:47am
TheSlingTackle said | July 15th 2011 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Which AFL player was released to represent Ireland?
July 19th 2011 @ 7:08pm
The Cattery said | July 19th 2011 @ 7:08pm | Report comment
TheSlingTackle
Refer to this page:
http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20110713212522495
His name is John Heslin, although re-reading it, it’s unclear whether he is actually on Richmond’s rookie list right now – sorry about the confusion there if I’ve got that one wrong.
The other player I refer to is Connor Meredith, previously rookie listed by North Melbourne with a couple of years playing with Werribee in the VFL.
That link also provides names of a few footballers playing at a decent amateur level in Melbourne, having moved from Ireland primarily to play footy in Melbourne, so there’s no doubt that Ireland will be very, very strong, in fact, if they come up against any of the lesser lights, they will give them a hiding.
July 15th 2011 @ 12:07pm
ruckrover said | July 15th 2011 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
All good stuff, particularly promising is the growth of football in both south africa and oceania and amongst african and pacific islander communities here in australia.
July 15th 2011 @ 1:30pm
Phil said | July 15th 2011 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
If the AFL is keen on expanding its impact to a multicultural and international audience, they could stage a biennial “Multicultural Cup” match in the pre-season. This could feature an Indigenous All-Stars side versus an International All-Stars side – the criteria for the International side could be that the person must have been born overseas themselves, or have at least one parent born in a non-English speaking country. This would then include players like Mike Pyke (Canada), Nic Natanui (Fiji), Daniel Kerr (Sri Lanka), Taidgh Keneally (and all the other Irish players), Karmichael Hunt (NZ), Majak Daw (Sudan), Bachar Houli (Lebanese), & Israel Folau (Tonga). That would be a great way to showcase the skills of players from international and Indigenous backgrounds, bringing communities together through football.
July 15th 2011 @ 2:09pm
clipper said | July 15th 2011 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
Would there be any pockets of PNG where Aussie Rules would be the most played code? Because PNG is so isolated and has so many hard to get to areas, this could happen. Surprised that there isn’t much Soccer played there – must be the Australian influence.
The AFL should be investing a bit more money in PNG. Although there would be no commercial benefits, the would be a chance of getting a few players to play in Australia, which would help the game in PNG immensely.
They should try for a four nations cup with Ireland, NZ, PNG, but to have such a poverty ridden and disparate country as PNG as one of the top 4 countries doesn’t say much for your international status.
July 15th 2011 @ 2:28pm
TW said | July 15th 2011 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Clipper
This article explains where the PNG AFL International Squad is picked from. However Rugby League is by far and away the most dominant up there but there maybe pockets of AR dominance – It is very hard to say.
Soccer Football and Rugby League are semi-professonal – Perhaps Rugby Union is as well.
Link–Article by Brett Northey
http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20110710213616599.
July 15th 2011 @ 5:44pm
Titus said | July 15th 2011 @ 5:44pm | Report comment
“Surprised that there isn’t much Soccer played there – must be the Australian influence.”
You mean the Australia where Soccer is the largest participation sport in the country?
Anyway, what makes you think there isn’t much soccer played there?
July 15th 2011 @ 2:16pm
TW said | July 15th 2011 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
A good article highlighting where some of the “future” talent will be originating from in the coming years.
The second tier comps in the AFL States do not just have the talent running around – It is finite.
The annual draft talent quality usually cuts off about number 20. There are exceptions but the research by the clubs by now is very exacting.
The AFL clubs know all of this – The search outside of the traditional sources by them is on in earnest and long may it continue.
Speaking internationally it appears the South African Lions will play a match in the north of WA either on their way to the August International Cup or on the way home.
The Lions team is being picked from the recent AFL South Afica Provincial Championchips.
July 15th 2011 @ 5:32pm
nevyn said | July 15th 2011 @ 5:32pm | Report comment
As a person who can certainly be included under the banner of “other cultures” I find it odd that the AFL has a weekend to celebrate the multiculturalism.
It’s a little embarassing to be honest, because if it was truly multicultural we wouldn’t need to celebrate the fact. You only need to see the example of the big deal that was made about Majak Daw, there is no doubt that he’s big tall and strong but would it be such a big deal if he was Anglo and white? I see players like him every second week when I take the field for my Soccer team.
Multiculturalism for me is being accepted regardless of your culture not being singled out because you’re of a different culture.
My own team is made up of Australian, English, Scottish, Trinidadian, Italian, South African, Argentinian, Mauritian, Malaysian, Chinese, Greek and Sri Lankan players. That is a truly multicultural mix of players who all get along and actually enjoy each others cultural quirks.
Until the AFL sees teams like that and doesnt feel the need to make a big deal about it, I won’t consider it truly multicultural.
July 15th 2011 @ 8:11pm
Jackson said | July 15th 2011 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
Im a complete supporter of multiculturalism, but the multicultural round seems to be simply a tokenistic marketing tool…
Also, calling it our indigenous game is a little much…. Not wanting to start a code war, but honestly, the game is incredibly similar to gaelic football, and obviously originated in Ireland, not in Australia.
July 15th 2011 @ 11:28pm
ruckrover said | July 15th 2011 @ 11:28pm | Report comment
The origins of Australian Football have been quite a matter of debate. Developed in parrallel with Gaelic Football rather than directly from it, in fact the rules of Gaelic Football weren’t officially codified until after the rules of Australian Football.
I think it is far more than tokenism. Of course the “multicultural” theme is needed because the code remains very much linked with traditional Australian culture particularly outside NSW and Qld – but things are changing and the AFL itself wants to see Australian Football as a code for everyone no matter what ethnic background. Who can criticise that?
Australian Football has a broad range of support across class but not so much across ethnic background. The bogan element is a significant slice of supporters and players. It is good for harmony when bogans and new immigrants play more together. So congratulations to the AFL even if there is self interest in generating more revenue and participation – doesn’t every sport aim for that anyway?
July 16th 2011 @ 12:30pm
Titus said | July 16th 2011 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Every round is multicultural round in soccer.
July 16th 2011 @ 9:55pm
woodsman said | July 16th 2011 @ 9:55pm | Report comment
Yet unlike football, soccer in this country has spent the vast majority of its second-rate existance emphasising division. Sorry Titus, I enjoy soccer, but do not believe the global generalisations of soccer are relevant in the Australian context.
July 16th 2011 @ 10:20pm
Titus said | July 16th 2011 @ 10:20pm | Report comment
What? Global generalisations?
You say emphasises division, so what you are saying is that the AFL should call it the Assimilation round, where everyone can give up their culture and be united in a homogenous Australian culture.
You keep fighting your cultural domination battle Woody, complete with gimmicky stunts, but as nevyn says, people dont have to give up their culture because Australians love Football(Associated) just as much as everyone else.
July 19th 2011 @ 7:15pm
The Cattery said | July 19th 2011 @ 7:15pm | Report comment
nevyn
It is indeed paradoxical that while the AFL goes out of its way to highlight its multicutural policies and appeal (and some might view that as over the top, as you do), recent history in Australian soccer is to actually tear down pockets of the soccer industry viewed as narrowly focused in an ethnic sense, preferring to appeal to a “mainstream” market, however you might define that.
I would also add that it’s a good thing your team comprising players of diverse backgrounds is not having to play games in Spain or Northern Italy, where they would be submitted to the cruellest form of racial taunting to be found anywhere on Earth (pockets of Eastern Europe can match these sorts of lows as well), seemingly with little action from UEFA or local governing bodies.
July 19th 2011 @ 9:25pm
Titus said | July 19th 2011 @ 9:25pm | Report comment
Racism is insidious wherever it happens The Cattery, and nothing is more insidious than people trying to deny that it’s a problem, or even defend it as a part of life, as a good many of the commenters on this article do.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/year-old-boy-racially-abused-during-junior-football-match-in-geelong/comments-fn7x8me2-1226097453187
July 19th 2011 @ 9:40pm
The Cattery said | July 19th 2011 @ 9:40pm | Report comment
Titus
In the article itself, I make direct references to three clear cut cases of racism that occured at two AFL games and at a VFL game which received a lot of press this year, and thus my assertion that multi-culturalism round came at a good time for the AFL, because despite a 16 year old policy that has received world renown, there remains much that can be done on this front, both on and off the field.
By the same token, if someone comes on here arguing that soccer has no need of such events, I feel duty bound to point out the horrendous racial abuse the some players receive in La Liga, Serie A and much of Eastern Europe on a routine basis, and clearly, these leagues could learn much from the AFL’s efforts (which is why the AFL was invited to speak at the UN Human Rights council in Geneva earlier this year).
Let us all recall that FIFA regularly publicises its anti-racism policy, often via speeches from great players before important games, and we would all agree that this a good thing, and that only the foolish would think it is unnecessary.
July 15th 2011 @ 5:49pm
Jaceman said | July 15th 2011 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
Nevyn,
Sheesh. Its an Australian game thats trying to spread its wings. Second generation kids have made it to the AFL (British,Greeks, Italians, germans) but because its an Australian game only it will take longer for more recent arrivals..
July 15th 2011 @ 11:19pm
ruckrover said | July 15th 2011 @ 11:19pm | Report comment
Good article from CNN – http://www.cnngo.com/sydney/life/black-and-white-aussie-rules-says-racism-crime-269496
July 16th 2011 @ 12:49am
methysticum said | July 16th 2011 @ 12:49am | Report comment
Where do Victorians think the sash came from for teams like Richmond and Essendon? It’s a direct steal from Catholic Marian societies in Ireland which wore them as part of their religious processions that long predated the formation of Australian football. Australian football originated in Ireland.
July 16th 2011 @ 3:18am
Neotraveler said | July 16th 2011 @ 3:18am | Report comment
I’ve read some fantastic research on the origins of Aussie Rules, the author Goeff Blainey did an incredible job but still could only put forward a solid argument: That Aussie Rules evolved on it’s own (of course not without some influences).
So I wonder where the “Aussie Rules originated in Ireland” facts are? A 2011 comparison of both codes on YouTube I suspect.
BTW Essendon’s first strip was Red and Black stripes, not the sash, and possibly (not as sure on this one) neither did Richmond.
July 17th 2011 @ 12:01am
Bristler said | July 17th 2011 @ 12:01am | Report comment
Essendon were founded as a staunchly Protestant club and the club’s founder was virulently anti-Catholic, so there goes that theory.
July 19th 2011 @ 9:42pm
GrecoRoman said | July 19th 2011 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
Some of the Catholic schools in the Essendon area didn’t want a bar of organising football teams to play in the Essendon district junior comps up until the 80′s. I went to St. Monica’s for a few years and we all played mainly for the Aberfeldy Cats junior teams because of it.
July 16th 2011 @ 5:21pm
Republican said | July 16th 2011 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
This is pure and simple marketing on the AFL’s part.
They would forgo local growth options at the elite tier of the code to go inverse cringe like across the ditch at the expedient disregard of devoted heartlands i.e. the ACT, NT and even Tassie I believe.
They even engineered a hybrid ‘Haka’ to represent the South Pacific side, which was predominately PNG stocked anyway and has diddle relevance to that particular culture. Again these are all signs that any Oceania inroads of the code will be appropriated and dominated by the NZ brand.
This has very little to do with development in a talent sense for if it were we would be talking up Port Moresby or an AFLPNG elite presence at least – but we all know this will not be the case. This is only testing the H20 of a potential Kiwi market in going head to head with League, Union and Soccer in the not too distant future and thats it in a nut shell.