Post by ghostinthemachine2 on Apr 1, 2005 10:35:59 GMT 10
Migrants to get kick-start in our game
01 April 2005 Herald Sun
John Masanauskas
NEW migrants will be taken to AFL games under a $600,000 campaign to ensure Australian rules remains king of the football codes.
And promising youngsters from ethnic communities could be offered footy scholarships.
The AFL today will announce the appointment of a multicultural project co-ordinator to boost its links with migrant groups.
It is part of a multicultural football program sponsored by the AFL, Football Victoria and the Department for Victorian Communities.
The move follows the AFL dealing with issues such as racism and the appointment of its first chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou who has a Greek Cypriot background.
New AFL multicultural boss Nick Hatzoglou said yesterday Aussie rules faced stiff competition from other codes.
"My main goal is bringing football to the front line in emerging communities."
Mr Hatzoglou, who performed a similar role for Cricket Victoria, said he wanted to tap into groups from places such as the Horn of Africa and the Balkans, which traditionally follow soccer.
New arrivals would be taken to AFL games as part of their settlement.
Mr Hatzoglou said he would look out for footy talent, and the best players would be recruited to an elite squad to fast-track their development.
"We might even need to offer incentives, like scholarships to help with their schooling," he said.
Premier Steve Bracks welcomed the program.
"We don't blink an eyelid when we see Koutoufides playing for Carlton or the Rocca brothers," Mr Bracks said. "My only request to the AFL is that if there is some good talent out there, say someone very fast and very able from the Horn of Africa, that they give priority to Geelong."
Football Victoria's development and planning manager Mick Daniher said clubs, players and coaches at all levels would be encouraged to embrace diversity.
"We want to connect new arrivals to the local community through football," Daniher said.
"Football has been unique in the way it's linked people from all walks of life."
Essendon is already nurturing new talent.
Ethiopian giant Goaner Tutlan, 22, is training with its development squad.
About 29,000 overseas arrivals settled in Victoria last year.
01 April 2005 Herald Sun
John Masanauskas
NEW migrants will be taken to AFL games under a $600,000 campaign to ensure Australian rules remains king of the football codes.
And promising youngsters from ethnic communities could be offered footy scholarships.
The AFL today will announce the appointment of a multicultural project co-ordinator to boost its links with migrant groups.
It is part of a multicultural football program sponsored by the AFL, Football Victoria and the Department for Victorian Communities.
The move follows the AFL dealing with issues such as racism and the appointment of its first chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou who has a Greek Cypriot background.
New AFL multicultural boss Nick Hatzoglou said yesterday Aussie rules faced stiff competition from other codes.
"My main goal is bringing football to the front line in emerging communities."
Mr Hatzoglou, who performed a similar role for Cricket Victoria, said he wanted to tap into groups from places such as the Horn of Africa and the Balkans, which traditionally follow soccer.
New arrivals would be taken to AFL games as part of their settlement.
Mr Hatzoglou said he would look out for footy talent, and the best players would be recruited to an elite squad to fast-track their development.
"We might even need to offer incentives, like scholarships to help with their schooling," he said.
Premier Steve Bracks welcomed the program.
"We don't blink an eyelid when we see Koutoufides playing for Carlton or the Rocca brothers," Mr Bracks said. "My only request to the AFL is that if there is some good talent out there, say someone very fast and very able from the Horn of Africa, that they give priority to Geelong."
Football Victoria's development and planning manager Mick Daniher said clubs, players and coaches at all levels would be encouraged to embrace diversity.
"We want to connect new arrivals to the local community through football," Daniher said.
"Football has been unique in the way it's linked people from all walks of life."
Essendon is already nurturing new talent.
Ethiopian giant Goaner Tutlan, 22, is training with its development squad.
About 29,000 overseas arrivals settled in Victoria last year.
