The AFL (NSW/ACT), in partnership with the Baulkham Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre (BHHPMRC), under the Living in Harmony program administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), recently hosted a special series of learning experiences to assist program participants in expanding their understanding of Australian culture and way of life.
A group of African and Afghani migrants, refugees and community leaders attended the Moore Park precinct, where they were treated to a private tour of the SCG and SFS sites.
After enjoying lunch in the precinct, the group were welcome guests at the AFL's 150th Birthday celebrations - sharing in the festivities with the team at AFL and of course some delicious birthday cake. This was then followed by a special presented by former VFL/AFL player Craig Davis, about the history and rules of Australian football.
The Sydney Swans granted the group special permission to attend their closed training session, where they were given Swans merchandise and enjoyed watching the team go through their paces and preparation for the big match on the weekend.
To cap off their Australian football experience, AFL (NSW/ACT) provided each member of the group with a family pass to attend the Swans v Fremantle match at the SCG. This was their first live experience of Australian football for the participants, and with the Swans winning a thriller, a fitting finale to the program.
Comments from participants in the program included:
“For sure I did enjoy the trip to the city and particularly to the SCG. First and foremost was the social bit. The meeting of new friends. I did make new friends during the trip. Then the other thing was the place. The SCG is an amazing place. The old grounds and the fact that it is …still fully functional is phenomenal…The technology that went into building the roof so that noise from the stadium would not affect the neighbours. The maintenance of the grass and how they have to keep changing the grass according to the season. Then last but not least was the presentation given. The enthusiasm and the passion that the Australian has when it comes to football could be clearly seen. And hence this rubbed on to me.
This and much more am sure that I learnt. Then the warm welcome that we received. The food and the cake to celebrate the 150 anniversary... If you were to ask me to go again, I would be the first to show up” (Kenyan Community Leader).
“To start with, it was my first time to visit this particular stadium - everything about it was amazing. I got to learn that the Sydney Cricket Ground is the major ground in Sydney for Cricket and Australia Rules Football, there are other games played at the stadium as well.
As a new migrant to Australia, it initiated me into Australian games, how these games are played, and the rules governing these games. Not to mention that I had never heard of or seen the Australian football game played before. I got an opportunity to know its history as they discussed for us during the tour and I got a free ticket to watch the Sydney Swans play with Freemantle. WOW!!! It was amazing.
Such programs are very vital and play an important role for new migrants, for they initiate them into the Australian way of lifestyle - such that they fit comfortably in society and their respective communities” (African migrant).
