Footy fans swap pies for Vietnamese rolls at AFL multicultural festival

In it's ongoing quest to be more inclusive of a diversity of fans the AFL has held it's first ever multicultural festival.

Pies and burgers were replaced with Indian street fare and Vietnamese cuisine as footy fans at the MCG were treated to the AFL’s inaugural multicultural festival. (SBS) Source: SBS

Pies and burgers were replaced with Indian street fare and Vietnamese cuisine as footy fans at the MCG were treated to the AFL’s inaugural multicultural festival.

The Blues and Magpie armies mobilised like any given Saturday. Mobs of supporters adorned in jumpers, scarves and beanies marched from trains, trams and carparks – but today they arrived to an altogether unfamiliar tune.

African drums, a Polynesian dance troupe and an international fashion parade outside the ground temporarily distracted fans from any pre-match anxiety.

AFL multicultural ambassador and St Kilda player Ahmed Saad signs autographs alongside Essendon captain Jobe Watson at the festival. (SBS) Source: SBS

A familiar face for supporters was Ahmed Saad, the St Kilda player who took to the code in his teens to help integrate. For him, it led to a life-changing career.

“If I didn't start at the age of 16 and decide to join a footy club to have friends and enjoy that team environment I wouldn't be here and it wouldn't have changed my life and my family's life as it has today,” Saad said.

In a commentary box in the southern stand, Punjabi broadcasters Harbin and Manpreet Kaur Singh project their unique observations on a code they've grown to love, their efforts every bit as polished as the pros.

Manpreet Kaur Singh is passionate about multiculturalism and has a growing fondness for the game which she believes is gradually infiltrating Australia’s cricket-mad Indian community.

“Slowly and steadily – it’ll take it’s time and this is very good time because the cricketers are not going very well for the Aussies so this is a really good time for cricket to take up,” she said unable to contain a smile and a laugh.

Polynesian dancers at the AFL Multicultural Festival outside the MCG. (SBS) Source: SBS

Jason Mifsud is Head of diversity at the AFL and says the code takes great care in its role as a leader in embracing diversity,

“It speaks to more people, reaches more lounge rooms and generates more discussion than politicians and governments and business it really is the glue that brings communities together,” Mr Mifsud said.