AFL Multicultural Round acknowledges and celebrates our game’s cultural diversity. The purpose of the round is to recognise the significant role that people from CaLD (culturally and linguistically diverse) communities play within Australian football and to promote football as a vehicle for the newly arrived to integrate into Australian society.
The AFL Multicultural Round will celebrate ‘Many Cultures. One Game - Australia's Game’ and will highlight the community engagement initiatives currently being undertaken by the Australian football industry, as well as the many players from culturally diverse backgrounds, who make up 9% of the AFL player list.
As a local community league, the Southern Football League is culturally diverse, welcoming players from all over the world, celebrating the fact that no matter where you are from, everyone can share and unite through our great game.
Will Hunter, journalist with the Southern Football League, recently interviewed local player Michael ‘Buddy’ Spohn from Black Rock Football Club.
'Michael ‘Buddy’ Spohn had never played Aussie Rules before his impressive debut for Black Rock’s reserves in round nine against Hallam.
The following week Spohn booted his ?rst goal and was one of the standouts in the twos during their loss to Mount Waverley. In a herculean effort, he immediately backed that up with a solid performance for the seniors in his second match of the afternoon – his elevation coming after injury forced an eleventh hour withdrawal.
What makes these efforts more extraordinary is the fact that the American had very little knowledge of the sport before deciding to take it up. Spohn was ?rst exposed to AFL on a month-long trip to Australia last year and instantly fell in love with the game.'
For the full story on Michael and his journey to Australian football, see page 30 of this week's Southern Footy here - SFL Record 12
