EVERY year on Africa Day, the AFL celebrates the amazing contribution to our game made by Australia's African community.

Ahead of 2019's event, photographer Nathan Dyer shot a series of portraits with athletes and match officials from AFL clubs and beyond.

All photographs: Nathan Dyer

Isaac Quaynor

I was born in: Australia
I play for: Collingwood
My cultural heritage is: Akyem Abuakwa, from Ghana

Akec Makur Chuot

I was born in: South Sudan
I play for: Richmond Football Club in the VFLW
My cultural heritage is: Yirol, from South Sudan

Reuben William

I was born in: South Sudan
I play for: Footscray Football Club in the VFL
My cultural heritage is: Mading Aweil, from South Sudan

Majak Daw

I was born in: Khartoum, Sudan
I play for: North Melbourne
My cultural heritage is: Ruweng, from South Sudan

Changkuoth Jiath

I was born in: Ethiopia
I play for: Hawthorn
My cultural heritage is: Nuer, from South Sudan

Tope Adepoyibi

I was born in: Australia
I am a goal umpire for: the AFLW and VFLW
My cultural heritage is: Yoruba, from Nigeria

Majok Ngong

I was born in: South Sudan
I play for: Wyndhamvale Football Club
My cultural heritage is: Twic Mayardit, from South Sudan