ON the back of launching their Reconciliation Action Plan during NAIDOC Week, the Port Adelaide Football Club now puts the spotlight on multiculturalism and AFL Multicultural Round.

The game against Melbourne on July 20 will celebrate Many Cultures, One Game and will include a couple of ‘firsts’. In partnership with the Australia Day Council and the Department of Immigration, 25 new Australians will participate in a Citizenship Ceremony pre-game.

The ceremony will feature the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Stephen Yarwood, as the Presiding Officer, and a Welcome Speech from the recently appointed Governor of South Australia, Hieu van Le.

In another first, up to 50 young primary students from around the globe will play their first game of Aussie Rules at Adelaide Oval. The students have participated in Power of One, a six-week program for children who are new to Australia. The program is managed by Power Community Ltd, the community development arm of Port Adelaide Football Club, and features Alipate Carlile as the Program Ambassador. ‘Bobby’ has visited all students in their schools, educated them on the intricacies of the game, and hosted a 9-A-Side carnival at Alberton Oval. ‘Bobby’ has backed his coaching credentials and is confident the students are ‘ready to go’.

The AFL Multicultural Round is a key component of the AFL’s strategy to grow the game, promote inclusivity and provide pathways for everyone to play, coach, umpire or administer the game. The Power of One program and the work of Bobby is backed by the AFL, the SA National Football League and Australia Post - we are kicking goals together.