AFL fans holding an international passport will be able to gain free entry to a game this weekend as part of the league’s multicultural round.
The AFL’s multicultural round was announced on Tuesday and aims to highlight the contribution multicultural communities make to the league at all levels, as well as incorporate ongoing initiatives across the AFL to engage with new communities and coup potential fans.
This weekend’s initiative will allow tourists, new immigrants and other fans with international citizenship the opportunity to experience the game with free admission. The AFL will be offering more than 25,000 free tickets, but fans will have to register via the AFL Multicultural Program Facebook page.
“Australian football has the extraordinary power to bring people together regardless of background,” AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said. “The AFL and Australia Post are excited to have launched ‘My Passport to Australian Football’ which aims to welcome thousands of multicultural spectators to the game during this round dedicated to celebrating diversity in football and, more broadly, in the Australian community.”
The AFL also announced the upcoming match between GWS Giants and Geelong will be broadcast in Mandarin, while the Docklands footbridge will transform with food stores, Bollywood dancers and African drummers before Friday night’s Carlton–North Melbourne game.
During the multicultural round, the AFL has commissioned the Unity Sports Wrap, a headscarf that will be available in all 18 AFL club colours designed for fans and players and matches will also feature citizenship ceremonies on field. The coin toss before the games will be taken by AFL players from multicultural backgrounds.
“We want to thank our passionate fans for their contribution and show the great impact they are having on the future of our game,” said Mr McLachlan. “We are proud to see AFL players from non-multicultural backgrounds supporting multiculturalism, as the entire AFL community, irrespective of background, strives to strengthen diversity, inclusion and cultural understanding in our game.”
