Sydney Swans defender Aliir Aliir joined with key members of the AFL community to help launch the 2017 AFL Multicultural Round at Lachlan’s Old Government House in Parramatta this morning.

Aliir joined AFL General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch at the launch along with GWS Giants player Tendai Mzungu, GWS Giants inaugural AFLW player Mai Nguyen and members of the AFL NSW/ACT Multicultural programs.

Ms Hosch explained that the round was an important reminder to AFL fans and the wider Australian community about embracing the cultural diversity within our migrant nation.

“We see more than ever that the community level and grassroots football is starting to reflect the cultural diversity within our country, and the work we do through our Multicultural Programs – with our community inclusion partner Australia Post – needs to be credited,” Ms Hosch said.

“Whilst it will take time, we are firm in our commitment to have the elite game being truly representative of the cultural landscape of Australia. 

“The Next Generation Academies are a tangible approach of this commitment and will no doubt provide further opportunity and success to players of all backgrounds in the years to come.

“As we celebrate the sixth Toyota AFL Multicultural Round, we currently have 117 players in the men’s competition with multicultural backgrounds, 14 per cent overall, and 21 of them having been born overseas. Whilst 17 of this year’s AFLW players have multicultural backgrounds.

“Our iconic game provides a harmonious and safe platform for all to feel included in Australian society and to have various cultures and linguistics celebrated,” she said.

Highlights of the 2017 Toyota AFL Multicultural Round

  • Sherrin match ball with the word ‘Welcome’ in six languages (Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, Greek, Italian, and Arabic)
  • Bilingual 50m arc marking in six languages
  • #ManyCulturesOneGame written on the field in place of afl.com.au
  • Umpires to wear orange wristbands and orange goal flags to represent harmony
  • Multicultural Round theme LED signage around venues
  • Video stories to be played on the big screens around all venues
  • There will be pre-game entertainment and a number of clubs will have special on-field jumpers celebrating the diversity of cultures within Australian Football
  • Thousands of new fans and communities will experience live AFL action for the first time through the AFL MyPassport program which has been supported by Australia Post
  • Match attendees of the Australia Post AFL MyPassport program and ethnic media outlets will receive information about Australian Football in different languages
  • The AFL and the AFL Coaches Association will again host the Alex Jesaulenko AFL Coaching Internship. This program will see ten clubs – Brisbane, Carlton, Essendon, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney Swans, and West Coast Eagles - appoint coaches with multicultural backgrounds to their football departments for the remainder of the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
  • The Collingwood v Adelaide game is being called in Mandarin and will be streamed live on 3ZZZ Community Radio.

Aliir Aliir is an Australian Post Multicultural Ambassador. As part of this role he will supprot the New South Wlaes multicultural strategy through key appearances at multicultural events, including the AFL Multicultural Round.