Port Adelaide’s newly-appointed AFL Multicultural Ambassador David Rodan has hailed football as the force which made his family feel at home in Australia.
Rodan, his three sisters, brother and their parents moved to Australia from Fiji in 1987, unaware of the opportunities a sporting career would deliver to the then four-year-old David.
“Our parents didn’t know anyone, but they came to Australia for a better life for their five children,” Rodan told PortAdelaideFC.com.au following his appointment to a cause close to his heart.
“They worked hard and slowly made friends, but it was through our family’s involvement in football that we found our place in the community and got engaged with Australian life.
“Through that, we made friends who we have had for life and still speak to today. Without football that wouldn’t be the case. Not to mention everything the game has given me.”
The 28-year-old is one of 10 players named as Multicultural Ambassadors who will use football to champion diversity, acceptance and opportunity through the AFL’s Australia Post Community Inclusion Partnership.
“It’s very exciting and something I am really passionate about,” Rodan said.
“Football, which I was lucky enough to play, is just a great vehicle to bring everyone together in our community.
“It gives all the refugees and new arrivals an extra chance to understand what it means to be a part of Australia.”
Rodan - along with Power team mate Alipate Carlile - remains involved with the development of Australian Rules in Fiji. He is an influential voice in Australia on behalf of other Fijians for whom he will continue to work to build pathways into the AFL.
As an Ambassador, he will work one day a week with the SANFL, helping to develop its multicultural strategy with an emphasis on a talent academy and international scholarship program.
Playing his junior football in Victoria where his family settled, Rodan stamped himself as an elite level prospect while playing with the Calder Cannons where he won the Morrish Medal for the best player in the TAC Cup in 2000 and 2001.
Drafted by Richmond before playing 22 games in his debut 2002 season, Rodan was delisted in 2006 before being thrown a lifeline by the Power.
Now in his sixth season at Alberton, Rodan has played 101 games for Port Adelaide (166 overall) and is in promising shape ahead of the 2012 season after putting three knee reconstructions behind him.
The other Multicultural Ambassadors are Nic Natinui (West Coast), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Bachar Houil (Richmond), Joel Wilkinson (Gold Coast suns), Harry O’Brien (Collingwood), Israel Folau (Greater Western Sydney), Karmichael Hunt (Gold Coast Suns), Majak Daw (North Melbourne) and Ahmed Saad (St Kilda).
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou thanked the ambassadors for their commitment.
“We’re genuinely excited to provide 10 players with the opportunity to become leaders in the community, promoting the benefits of inclusion and diversity,” Demetriou said.
“I’m sure the AFL industry will benefit enormously from the insights and cultural guidance these players will provide.”
Rodan said it was exciting to come together with fellow AFL players under a formalised program.
“We play a great game and it will be fantastic to get all the guys into the community in a way in which we can really make a difference,” Rodan said.
“It’s a very broad subject and it will be very exciting. I’m honoured to have a part to play.”
