Page 18 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

MULTICULTURAL
MANY CULTURES – ONE GAME
Over the past twelve months we have seen Queensland’s two AFL clubs embrace multiculturalism and search for new ways to connect with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
Both have committed to multicultural programs and are leading the way for community football in terms of capitalising on the significant growth opportunity that exists within culturally diverse communities.
Earlier this year the Gold Coast SUNS appointed a full time Multicultural Programs Officer to work within their community programs team and the Brisbane Lions invested considerable resources into a very successful AFL Multicultural Round, utilising their Lion Hearted Leaders Program to engage with new migrants and refugees from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Both clubs also took the opportunity to engage with these new markets by celebrating cultural festivals over the course of the year and their presence was certainly well received. Bernie ‘Gabba’ Vegas in particular was a crowd favourite at the 2012 World Refugee Day Festival in Brisbane.
MULTICULTURAL SCHOOLS PROGRAM & MULTICULTURAL SCHOOLS CUP
2012 saw the launch of the AFL Multicultural Schools Program in Queensland with the program being successfully piloted both on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.
As a result of the initial success and great community feedback, considerable expansion is planned over the coming years which will no doubt have some exciting multicultural talent filtering through our community club and representative pathway.
Michael Gugliotta was appointed to the role of Multicultural Programs Officer at the Gold Coast SUNS and was responsible
for the rollout of the program on the coast which saw over 900 primary school students participate in the program during the first six months.
In Brisbane AFL Queensland partnered with the Clem Jones Centre and the Queensland African Communities Council to appoint Zimbabwean born Keith Shangare to lead the program and in
just one term had over 600 participants complete the six week program.
Over 500 of these students participated in the inaugural Multicultural Schools Cup in Brisbane held at the Clem Jones centre with East Brisbane State School the eventual winners.
All 1500 participants were provided with the opportunity to attend an AFL game either at at the Gabba or at Metricon Stadium. For many, it was their first visit to an AFL game and the feedback was exceptional.
AFL continued to be the popular among international students with over 150 students attending Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS games over the course of the season. Over 40 students from the Griffith University Nathan campus where thrilled when given the opportunity to form a ‘guard of honour’ for Brisbane Lions players as they took to the field for AFL Multicultural Round at the Gabba on Sunday 1st July 2012.
TRENT RYAN ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
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2012 Year in Review