Former footballer and current AFL multicultural ambassador David Rodan is giving back to the game at the grass roots level through his community work.
Rodan signed with the West Preston Football Club in 2014, and has earned respect around the Northern Football League for his community spirit after his debut in April.
The Fijian-born star is one of six ex-AFL players currently signed to a club in the Northern Football League, along with many others who have agreed to deals in recent seasons.
Despite the commercial nature of such deals, West Preston under-19’s player Daniel Franco said Rodan’s influence runs deeper than what people outside the club may think.
“I think that is a view of people outside the club… in terms of culture he has a great vibe around the boys.
“Clearly he’s not only just a big impact on the field, but off the field also,” Mr Franco said.
Mr Franco also said that Rodan is helping to grow the strong sense of multiculturalism around the Reservoir area.
“He fits into our club so well, adding to our multicultural community… he never disappoints with wearing the different footy jumpers of all cultures and nations,” he said.
Rodan believes there is more attention payed to former AFL players at the local level, and that their inclusion is a great advertisement for the game.
“I think it’s positive because it brings more people to the football… they pay those guys a lot of money, and I guess the clubs see that as an investment.
“I think it’s a win-win,” he said.
In a pre-season interview with Leader’s Tom Michell, West Preston senior coach Leigh Cole said that Rodan was eager to “mentor young players” and become a leader.
Rodan agreed that leadership is something he is working on.
“It’s something I really enjoyed later on in my AFL career… I’ve got a lot of experiences I’ve been through, good and bad.
“A lot of the under-19 boys come up to me and ask for advice which is fantastic and as the boys know, I’m pretty approachable and happy to help,” Rodan said.
Leadership is one of many traits Rodan said he hopes to bring to West Preston.
“A lot of it is introducing AFL to different cultures and letting them know about the different opportunities… I don’t think other cultures know about the opportunity and that’s part of my role,” Rodan said.
Rodan’s role as an AFL multicultural ambassador has seen him be appointed as coach of the World Team in the International Cup for 2015, a position that he says he relishes.
“It’s something I never thought I’d do after I finished playing footy but there’s something there that I really enjoy, developing a player, that mentoring takes it to another level,” Rodan said.
Rodan’s presence is also being felt on the field, as he has been voted among the best afield in four out of his five games so far.