IT’S easy to fall in love with our great game.
Just ask the person next to you at the footy about how they got hooked and what will follow will be a historical tale detailing the introductory origins.
But, few can boast the storyline of Jamie Pi, the newly appointed multicultural ambassador for the Williamstown Football Club and the driver of this weekend’s Multicultural Day at Point Gellibrand.
Headlining the Multicultural Day is a match between the Dragons, a VAFA Division 4 team that consists largely of multicultural origins, and the Western All Stars, which will be the curtain raiser to the Williamstown/Footscray match.
It’s a match that will feature a sweeping mix of nationalities, including Pi, as passionate an AFL follower as anyone.
Pi grew up in far north western China, hardly your usual Aussie Rules breeding ground, but upon arriving in Australia more than 20 years ago he quickly fell in love with the game.
It’s been a love affair that has seen him not only call games in mandarin, but also sit next to the Chinese President Xi Jin Ping to explain the intricacies of the game.
Just as importantly, Pi was a prime mover in 2007 establishing the Southern Dragons, a multicultural club which now play in the VAFA as the Dragons.
Pi was the inaugural Dragons captain then treasurer and then president before concentrating solely on playing this season.
It was through his association with Williamstown board member Grant Dooley when he was ambassador to Guangzhou that Pi came on board to assist all at the club with engagement and diversification.
“Grant was involved with football in China and so was I and last year he introduced me to Williamstown where we successfully implemented a multicultural day,” Pi said.
While the Dragons is a structured team what struck Pi was the interest from mainly Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodians immigrants in the western suburbs to be involved in the All Stars team.
Pi noted that there were more than 30 players who wanted to be involved.
“To me that is incredible and reflects the interest in the western suburbs around football in the minority communities,” Pi said.
“It is very encouraging.”
Williamstown Football Club also has a relationship with the South China Football League and that engagement is another reason why Pi said he’s only too happy to assist the club.
Apart from the football there will be a distinct multicultural flavor with a variety of cuisines as well as a lion dance performance at half time of the VFL game.
As well as its Multicultural Day, Williamstown Football Club is hosting the Chinese national team – the China Red Demons – when the AFL International Cup is staged in August.
The China Red Demons will train with Williamstown and will be provided with coaching and staffing during its carnival games.
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 10/04/2014 14:04