Amidst a very tough contest between the Dockers and the Bulldogs, there was a lovely moment between two young, exciting players Michael Frederick and Buku Khamis.
In an attempt to repel the Bulldogs back inside 50 to overturn a 10-point deficit, Bulldogs defender Khamis took the ball mid-air before he was immediately taken to ground by Frederick in a really strong tackle.
Despite the close and competitive nature of the game at that point, the two players engaged in a great moment where Frederick helped Khamis to his feet before going back to their respective positions.
This showcased the mutual respect between two professional sportsmen who may have had different paths into the game but have a common link in their South Sudanese heritage.
Whilst Frederick was born in Adelaide to migrant parents, Khamis and his family migrated to Australia at six years of age to escape the war-torn Sudan region.
Both players have now become regulars at their respective clubs with Frederick’s speed being a point of difference in the Dockers’ forward line since his 2020 debut and Khamis’ intercepting ability being a welcome addition to the Dogs’ backline this year, after being at the club since 2018.
The two players exemplify this wave of new players with African backgrounds who are not just taking part in the AFL but are key players at their respective clubs.
Whether it’s top-10 draftee Sun Mac Andrew who has shown really impressive signs in 2023 or the Power’s Aliir Aliir who is an All-Australian and the main defender for a top-four contender in Port Adelaide, it is great to see players from these diverse backgrounds taking part and being influential in the competition.
The AFL like to claim they are Australia’s top sport but I feel an uncomfortable truth is that in terms of cultural diversity, the league still has a considerable way to go if the game is to truly match our multicultural nation.
In 2020, which still remains the last year in which the AFLPA released a multicultural map, there was just over 16% of players across both the AFL and AFLW classified as multicultural, that is being born either outside of Australia or having at least one parent born outside Australia.
This is considerably below the figure of Australia more broadly, as the 2021 census found that almost half (48.2%) of Australians are either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas.
Even within the players that are classified as multicultural, the vast majority have backgrounds from European/Anglo-Saxon backgrounds.
There is a significant underrepresentation of players from Asian and African backgrounds even though these communities make up a significant portion of Australia’s cultural diversity.
The fact that the AFL has stopped producing multicultural maps reflects a disappointing trend in the last few years – and I don’t think that the AFL has been as committed to multiculturalism as they should be, at least in what they have publicly expressed.
After running with a multicultural round since 2011, they went without the special round ahead of 2018 claiming that clubs will commit to diversity throughout the season instead of just one round.
However, in 2024, the league needs to be doing more in this space in terms of promoting inclusion and enabling greater diversity in both the AFL and AFLW.
It is true that clubs and players do play a significant role within multicultural communities such as Bachar Houli’s Foundation for Islamic youth or the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation which focuses on the diverse peoples of Melbourne’s West.
The AFL themselves need to follow the lead of these efforts and make a more concerted effort as an organisation to make the game appealing to those from non-European backgrounds.
It is wonderful to see players like Frederick and Khamis playing vital roles for their teams – and even American Mason Cox tearing a preliminary final apart against an all-conquering Richmond.
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There is also the speed of Adam Saad and the Carlton faithful’s excitement whenever he gets a kick that illustrates our game would be a lesser spectacle without these influences from different cultures.
It’s time for the AFL to now address the elephant in the room and make a firm commitment to multiculturalism.
Whilst reinstating Multicultural Round and promoting multicultural ambassadors is something that needs to be undertaken, the most powerful step is promoting inclusion at lower levels.
The AFL experimented with hosting games in China before COVID, whilst ignoring the large Chinese Australian population here that could add so much to our game if we gave them a chance.
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Hosting clinics in diverse areas and providing programs and pathways for those with multicultural backgrounds such as the Next Generation Academies (which are a great initiative and need to be persisted with) will help make the game more accessible and seen by kids as one that they can play or be a part of.
Every kid in this country, no matter their heritage, deserves to be included in this wonderful sport as it encourages diversity at all levels of our game, promotes inclusion and belonging for all and enhances Australia’s credentials as a heterogenous community for all.
Only when the AFL makes this commitment will we see more wonderful contests and tussles such as the one between Frederick and Khamis – and a level of respect that goes much deeper than kicking around a football.