Three AFL stars of Greek descent will play their part in the AFL’s Multicultural Program this year, joining nine other player ambassadors.
Hawthorn dual Premiership player Paul Puopolo, David Zaharakis, the Gold Coast Sun’s Nick Malceski, and Brisbane Lions’ James Aish will join existing multicultural ambassadors Nic Naitanui, Bachar Houli, Jobe Watson, Alipate Carlile, Stephen Coniglio, Jimmy Toumpas, Lin Jong and Patrick Karnezis in promoting the diverse backgrounds of players engaged in Australia’s game.
AFL General Manager People, Customer and Community, Dorothy Hisgrove said the newly-appointed ambassadors were chosen based on community leadership and their commitment to growing the game.
“It is important that Australian Football continues to provide an inclusive environment which attracts people from all cultural backgrounds to enjoy our game as fans, players and officials as the AFL upholds a commitment to strengthen diversity in our game,” said Ms Hisgrove.
“We are excited to expand the program to welcome Paul, David, Nick and James and look forward to the Australia Post AFL Multicultural Ambassadors playing a crucial role in raising cultural understanding and encouraging participation in Australian Football at all levels,”
Starting with the Australia Post AFL Community Camp in February, Zaharakis and his fellow ambassadors will play a leading role in giving back to regional fans by acknowledging their loyalty and support first-hand when the team is in town.
Multicultural ambassadors will be at the forefront of the AFL Multicultural Round to be held this year in Round 19 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
With the support of Australia Post, the round will celebrate ‘Many Cultures, One Game’ and highlight community engagement initiatives being undertaken by the ambassadors and the entire Australian football industry. In 2015, players from multicultural backgrounds make up 15 per cent of the AFL player list.
Australia Post General Manager Community Relations, Andrea Pearman said: “Together with the AFL, we share a strong and ongoing commitment to celebrating cultural diversity and sharing the message that everyone is welcome to our game, irrespective of their background.
“Multiculturalism enriches Australian neighbourhoods and our ambassador program provides us with many opportunities to tell the story of how different cultures and the game of AFL can come together as one.”
A priority for David Zaharakis as an ambassador will be to continue to drive the Zahrakais Multicultural Academy in northern Melbourne. Melbourne FC’s Jimmy Toumpas will facilitate cultural education sessions with community football clubs and assist with multicultural talent programs at the Toumpas Academy in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Collingwood’s Patrick Karnezis will work on the Multicultural Community Ambassador program as well as the AFL’s multicultural festivals strategy and social media strategy.