SANFL/AFL Cultural Diversity Forum held on Wednesday 13 July 2011 at AAMI Stadium, West Lakes

Attendees: 84 – including SANFL Management and staff, SANFL Club Management, SA Based AFL Club Management, Staff and Players (Crows & Port), Management and Staff from Various Government Organisations (Attorney General’s Department, Office for Recreation & Sport, Multicultural SA), Private Industry and Multicultural Community Leaders.

Panel Members:
Simon Forrest (Facilitator) – Former Executive Director of Multicultural SA and Director of SANFL/Port Adelaide Magpies
Hieu Van Le AO -Lieutenant Governor of SA and Chairman of the SA Multicultural & Ethnic Affairs Commission
David Hutton - SANFL State Manager – Community Engagement
Peter Cates - SANFL Inclusive Programs Manager
Darren Adamson – Port Adelaide FC - Community Development Manager
Alipate Carlile – Port Adelaide FC Player
Ivan Maric – Adelaide FC Player
Emmanuel Irra - South Adelaide FC Player and member of the 2011 SA State U18 squad
Tom Ellenbroek – Teacher – Adelaide Secondary School of English
Christine Jarvis – President – Fitzroy Junior Football Club 

Presentation Included: 

• AFL Multicultural Round DVD
• Summary of SANFL programs and importance of community engagement for football presented by Darren Chandler (GM Football & Corporate Operations – SANFL)
• What football can mean for multicultural communities presented by Hieu Van Le AO
• Partnership between SANFL, Adelaide Secondary School of English and Fitzroy Junior Football Club (DVD) presented by Peter Cates, Tom Ellenbroek and Christine Jarvis
• Port Adelaide Football Club International Supporters Group (DVD) presented by Darren Adamson
• Interviews with Multicultural Players (Alipate Carlile – PAFC, Ivan Maric – AFC, Emmanuel Irra – South Adelaide & SA State U18) presented by David Hutton

Each table was invited to hold brief discussion and to pose a question to the Panel, with the following questions and responses summarised:

Have the players experienced racism? Can the AFL/SANFL and Community Clubs do more to combat racism and what do you suggest?
The individual players had not personally been victims of racism, although had seen it on rare occasions. They all believed that children need to be educated at a younger age. They also believed it is important to point out the differences between different cultures. The AFL is currently working on an education program that will be available to all community clubs. The SANFL will be working with the AFL to determine the best way to conduct appropriate education and training across all levels of football.

Why did Australian football become the sport of choice, when the players were culturally linked to another sport (soccer, rugby, basketball)? How did your family engage in Australian rules football?
The players wanted to play the same sport as their mates from school. It is vital to continue promotion of football in schools. The players all indicated that their families had eventually embraced Australian football, although with some early concerns (against tradition, safety etc).
A successful link was established and piloted between the Adelaide Secondary School of English (ASSOE) which is a New Arrival Program (NAP) School and Fitzroy Football Club in 2011 (this pilot program was included in the earlier presentation). The panel spoke of the importance of continuing such programs.

What can we do with and for multicultural communities in regional SA?
Hieu Van Le AO suggested that the SANFL and AFL should work even more closely with the State Attorney General’s Department - Regional Advisory Committee. Peter Cates mentioned a recent successful six week program conducted in Mt Gambier involving a NAP school – mostly Refugees from Burma and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
SANFL Field Officers have undergone cultural awareness training, and that leagues should look into training for their staff/coaches/volunteers etc, with the support of the SANFL and AFL.

How do we promote “sticking with it”?
Ivan Maric stressed the importance of a football club providing both a safe and enjoyable environment that changes a player for the better (on and off the field) – providing better environments of both tolerance and understanding is a practical way to retain and attract people.
Ivan highlighted the benefits he had received in terms of life education through his AFL career and he feels more can be done to use football clubs and their environments to reach young people with key education messages (especially with cultural awareness and diversity education). He indicated an interest to speak with the AFL/SANFL about becoming involved in this area.

Can the AFL/SANFL engage parents to gain a greater understanding of the benefits of allowing their children to become involved, rather than the children generating interest?
It is crucial to educate parents on the benefits of football (healthy lifestyle/team environment/acceptance & understanding). To initially engage it may be necessary to coordinate parent information evenings at schools and clubs, or promote football at cultural events – Simon Forrest pointed out a calendar of community events is featured on the Multicultural SA website. Once initial contact has been made, it is important to build trust (face to face contact, parent information nights, go to other community events the parents are involved in).Also the promotion of modified rules games (juniors or Rec Footy) to communities conscious of safety .

What opportunities are there out there for young adults (non-playing) to become involved?
Port Adelaide FC has built good relationships with UniSA and Adelaide Uni to build an International Student Support Group – which involves sessions at the Port Adelaide FC, free tickets to an AFL match and other various match day experiences. The SANFL run a similar program on a smaller scale which involves a tour of AAMI Stadium and skills session. Peter Cates also lectures at TAFE SA.
Ideally there will eventually be a pathway for everyone – players, volunteers, coaches, umpiring and administration. This requires further work and consideration to build on foundations laid so far.

Is the pilot program between ASSOE and Fitzroy Junior FC going to be expanded to incorporate other schools and club?
Subject to funding, a number of satellite academies will hopefully be arranged for 2012.

Table Notes & Further Issues to Consider

• To the organisers and participants – an outstanding presentation. Well done.
• Strategies to engage Indian & Chinese communities?
• Increasing numbers of skilled, humanitarian and family migrants, including refugees settling in regions such as Mt Gambier
• Football in Vanuatu made village come alive because of footy bringing people together
• Children and families appreciate feeling “welcomed” into clubs as well as the game (respect, trust and furthering understanding of Australian culture)
• Offers young people an opportunity to do something
• Need to improve education and understanding of the issues at SANFL/Community Club level
• Sharing of information – will require persistence and cooperation between stakeholders
• Is it common across all nationalities that parents have a fear to allow their children to become involved in Australian rules? 
• Cross cultural education at football clubs 
• Multicultural Auskick programs

Further Information Available (distributed on the day and available upon request) 

• NAP Schools
• Population Data
• Community Leader Contact Details
• SANFL Game Development and SANFL/AFL Football Club Details