The AFL is taking another big step towards promoting inclusiveness among fans. In the lead-up to the league’s Multicultural Round – which begins this weekend, encompassing the split round that covers Round 18 – the AFL will today begin selling official Hijabs in team colours.
Newly installed League boss Gillon McLachlan will officially announce the move today, ahead of the start of the round on Friday night. Richmond Tigers player and devout muslim Bachar Houli was extremely positive about the initiative, “There are so many Muslims who attend the footy, but at times don’t feel like they are part of supporting their team. This is a fantastic thing, because now they can wear their football team colours on their scarf, feel like they are part game.“
Designed Shanaaz Copeland first started making the footy-themed hijabs two years ago, but it has taken until now for the AFL to adopt them into their line of official merchandise.
Last year, 13 year old Soreti Jibrael made history by umpiring an Auskick game at Etihad Stadium whilst wearing a traditional hijab.
The AFL is running multicultural round as part of its themed round initiative, aimed at providing recognition to on and off-field sectors of the football following public, which also includes Indigenous Round and Women’s Round.
Photo: Robertus Pudyanto via Getty Images.
