Ambassadors for a game for all

KHUSHAAL WAS in conversation with AFL stars Stephen Coniglio andAliirAliir

ntheleadup to Round One,we've gone d1rough me game and itsbasic rules,andexchangedourvowsinthe sacredceremony ofpickingyour team. lmportantly,1 hopethat you have identiliedAFL isa unique game for one and all.ln thisissue we bringyou someming incredibly excitingaswe speakwithtwo scarsofthegame,AFLMulticulmral

AmbassadorsStephenConiglio (G\\\'S GIANTS) andAlifr Aliir(SydneySwans).

Stephen Coniglio

IV'hatva/11edoes11111/tic11ltura/is111btingtothe

APL?

SC: AFLinAustralia has so many supporters and a massiveaudience itcan reach our to. By celebratingandeducating thisaudience on tbe importanceof rnulticulturalism, cogetherwecangrow this game andbridge gapsinoursociety witb issuesarounddisrespecttowardsdifferent cultures,whilstalsocelebratingthe culmres mat make up misgreatgame and country. Youwerealsoquiteatalmtedc,icketerbefo,·e joiningtbeAFL Whatare)'OtlrtipJ011engaging thoseofh1dianheritage1Pherecrickethasalwqys been"religion?

SC: Ilovedmycricket andstill do.My advice wouldbe to embrace andtry many sportsandgive it a shot at understandingits rules,wbatit brings and meanstoalotof people. Dowhatyoulove andthatdoesn't have tobejust one.spore.It canbe many!

Favo111iteIndianfood,movie,song,c11/t11ral celebmtion?

SC:Tougb choice. I've been to India when l was 16ona cricket tourand was fortunate.enougb co spend some extra time off over there. The culture andpeople arelikeno otl1er,theirfriendly andpeaceful nan1re is amazing. Ir's hardtogopasta dassic naan bread wimbmter chkken, ald10ughtbat mayseem alittle mainstream.Myfavourite movie wasS!ttt1tdog1VIillio11ait·e,but after recentlyseeingLion,that takesthe leadasmyfavourite.

AllirAllir

Youcame toAustralia asa refugee atage seven. Did AFL play aroleinsuchabigtransition between two countries?

AA: Yeah,definitely.lt helped me to connect withomer kids andIallowed me coenjoy a new environment,newculn1re and new country.

Beingthefirs/A.PLplqyerofSudtmese heritageinthegav1e'shistoryhtJSt1m1edyo11i11tf! abeaco11jf!rc11/t11raldiversi()'in,port. Doyou feellike)'011ht1veahigroletoplt91inpro111oting 11mlticultt1rali1111i11theAr?

AA:Tobe honest Ihaven't reallylooked backandthought about beingthe first personof Sudanese heritage tocome throughthe draftand mingslike mat,but1 know thatbeingfrom a differentcountryI have a role co play in terms of helpingand gettingod1etmulticulturalkids intoAFL andd1at'spart ofwhatIlovedoing. ru\: Iguess to connectother kids, wherever theymightbe from, andtry co help them feellike they're welcome.I'dlike to share myexperience of how Igot here and teach them thattheycando whatever d1ey want todowhetherit be AFL,soccer, whateversport,so they can feel comfortable andfeelAustralian.

Whr,tdo)'Otthopetohringto.J'Oflrroleasti M11/tic11/t11ralAmbassadorfortheAPL?

F,JV0111itcIndianfood,111ovie,1011g,ctt!t1tml celebration?

AA: Is Butter Chicken in tl1ere?Yeah, definitelyButterChicken!

\1(/ell then,you've hadit all. The rules,the teams,the brilliantplayers. ow getready forRorn1d One.Welcome to die AFL!

AFL NSW/ACT is committed to growing the gamewithin ourdiverse communities.

For more infonnation visit: e aflnswact.com.au/community-programs/multicultural/