Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras has praised the latest graduates of the AFL’s Multicultural Camp. The camp is supported by AFL Victoria in partnership with AFL Multicultural Program partner clubs.
The AFL Multicultural Camp brings together young Victorians from culturally diverse backgrounds for a high performance program, including leadership training and personal development.
These young Victorians learn to become team players with fellow footballers from different backgrounds, and the camp teaches them to respect their teammates ‘on and off the field’.
Mr Kotsiras said the Camp has helped these young Victorians to appreciate the diverse cultures that make up Australian society. “The AFL’s Multicultural Camp has shown these young footballers how to work as part of a team, regardless of their diversity.
“My message and one that you can learn through football – is that our differences are our strength,” Mr Kotsiras said. “Importantly, we must remind ourselves that we are part of the bigger Team Victoria.”
Mr Kotsiras said Victorians came from more than 200 countries, speak more than 230 languages and follow over 120 faiths.
“This is our strength and we need to promote and nurture this advantage to maintain the edge over other teams,” Mr Kotsiras said Mr Kotsiras thanked the AFL for bringing together 40 young people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and reminded the participants that the most exciting game, that of life, in footy terms is only the first quarter.