04 May 2010
- Introduction
- Photo gallery 1
- Photo gallery 2
International students have a ball
Dozens of students enjoyed handballing at the launch.
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GloBALL, a program that initiates international students into the culture of AFL footy, was launched in an expanded format at RMIT University’s City campus last week.
The scheme has grown in its second year to include cricket, with Cricket Victoria joining the Essendon Football Club as hosts.
International students and new migrants can score free tickets to the footy and cricket, as well as taking part in activities such as:
- Visiting the National Sports Museum at the MCG
- Making a banner with the Essendon cheer squad
- Joining a Super Clinic (practising with Essendon footy players)
- Doing the “Long Walk” for Indigenous Australians
Yuriko Taniguchi, who took part in GloBALL last year, said she found it very interesting, as she hadn’t known anything about footy.
"Sitting with the Essendon cheer squad helped me understand why people are passionate about football.
"I really liked the engagement, getting to know the Australian lifestyle. It also helped me get to know people from different parts of the world."
Sumet Kanchanahaluerthai also took part in last year’s GloBALL and said he enjoyed the footy clinic, learning to handball and kick.
The scheme also helped him understand what people gathering before games in the city each week were doing.
"My favourite was sitting with the cheer squad when a goal was scored - people stood up and I was partying with them. Go Bombers!"
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, told the launch that sport could add to a sense of belonging, and strengthened diversity.
RMIT was participating in GloBALL through its Mentors Assisting Transition Experience (MATE) program, she said.
The Minister for Respect Agenda and former AFL player, Justin Madden spoke at the launch, which was sponsored by iPrimus and supported by the AFL Multicultural Program, the City of Melbourne, the Australian Federation of International Students and AMES.
