The inaugural Bachar Houli Academy Medal winner was announced today at a special presentation at the ME Bank Centre to celebrate the 2014 program.
The five day intensive training program, run by Richmond defender and AFL Multicultural Ambassador, Bachar Houli is specifically for young Muslim men to participate, giving them an insight into the expectations of an AFL player, and provides leadership development.
The young men aged 14-17 years participated in a range of football and leadership activities including high performance testing, football training, skills and drills, nutritional sessions, goal setting, resilience and decision making sessions, and a match against the Toumpas Squad.
Academy participant, Hisham Kerbatieh, 17, is the winner of the Bachar Houli Academy Medal, voted by fellow program participants for best demonstrating the values throughout the program.
Speakers at the presentation included AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, the Federal Attorney General, Hon. George Brandis QC and Bachar Houli.
Houli received praise for the time and effort he dedicates to being a positive role model for the Islamic community through programs such as the Bachar Houli Cup, Academy, Islamic school visits and community cultural awareness sessions.
“As the only Muslim player in the elite AFL competition, Bachar has identified and embraced the responsibility of being a leader and a mentor to the Islamic community, and in doing so, he’s helped to create greater awareness and appreciation of his culture in the wider AFL community,” McLachlan said.
Houli’s role and programs within the AFL seek to achieve social cohesion and cultural understanding within the AFL and broader communities.
The Hon. George Bandis was impressed upon learning about the program and Houli’s commitment.
“What a great thing you have done for our country,” he said of Houli at the presentation.
“As the first practising Muslim to be an AFL professional, to give of yourself to your team, and to your game, and then to go on to be a leader, and a teacher, and a mentor, and inspire generations of younger men, you have made a wonderful contribution to this sport and to this community and I want to thank you.”
To find out more about the Bachar Houli Academy, visit Bachar’s personal website, bacharhouli.com.au
