'People need to know they belong': How Chinese Australians are helping to increase the AFL's diversity

When Arthur Liu first set his foot in Melbourne 20 years ago, the very first person he met gave him advice on how to become a "true Australian".Fast forward to today, the father of two boys has not only become a die-hard fan of the Essendon Football Club himself, but also passed his love of footy to the next generation.

"My first footy experience was through playing Auskick, mainly because my dad was a big football fan, and my old brother started playing Auskick," Vescio said.Vescio is working toward creating a more inclusive game. In 2020, about 15 per cent of AFL players were born overseas or had one parent born overseas. This was up from 13 per cent in 2019, according to AFL data.

"There are some 700 players in AFL, and around 400 in the AFLW, and considering there are more than 1 million Chinese Australians, the Chinese players in the leagues are very few."The AFL's Chinese roots run deep — players of Chinese ancestry played their first game in the gold rush town of Ballarat on August 27, 1892.

In the 1890s, people who stayed behind in regional Victoria after the gold rush took up occupations in market gardening, mining and commercial laundries.

I played in NSW late 70's early 80's it was diverse as f%k Auntie late to the party and handing out puerile lectures like a preacher on a Sunday. defund Do better!

Im over diversity

Young Aussies and sport of their choice, is freedom within our cultural signature. Global stats, verify success. Unlying eponymous losses eg curse in word Ess-end-on. EndofUniverse is a personal trial, waiting for an 1stNation intervention. XHNews japantimes Taiwan_Today

If you need to be surrounded by your 'own kind' to feel a sense of belonging that's a you problem. It seems that AFL takes a backseat to education by choice for many Chinese folks not prejudice. Just enjoy the sport FFS

What a fantastic story. It makes perfect sense to include Chinese Aussies. After all, all the uniforms and balls are made in China.

I wonder if there are many 'Australian Chinese' in China are on the Badminton teams over there 🤔

Wouldn’t Chinese players be a bit short to play AFL. Perhaps they should try AFLW.

Look I loving Geelong Cat do not getting me wrong but CPC party coming before all else if push come to shoving.

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