Aussie Rules to the Rescue
Australian activists are breathing life into an alternative approach to the resolution of the Middle East conflict. In a groundbreaking grassroots initiative, an Australian rules football team comprising Israelis and Palestinians has been formed by the Peres Centre for Peace to compete in the 3rd International Cup to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Australia’s original sporting code, Aussie Rules. The 30 boys – a multicultural mosaic of Orthodox Jews, Ethiopian immigrants, Palestinian Christians and Muslims, as well as Sudanese immigrants – can barely communicate, despite the similarities between Arabic and Hebrew, although the AFL rule book has been translated in both languages.
Tanya Oziel, the Sydney-based Executive Director of the Australian arm of the Peres Centre for Peace and the driving force behind the project, said “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase Israeli-Palestinian teamwork currently taking place under the Peres Centre for Peace. It shows that despite the negative media about the region, peace is happening between the people at the grassroots level.” AFL talent coach Kevin Sheehan, one of Geelong’s favourite sons, said “I am impressed by the effect of the initiative on the interaction between the players. Sport has always been capable of being a vehicle to promote certain shared values and interaction and understanding.” The initiative has already gained significant support from the AFL, Richard Pratt (president of Carlton Football Club), corporate sponsors, and media coverage such as Channel Seven. This year’s tournament will be held in Victoria during August and September.
By: Dan Goldberg, Aussie rules to the rescue, Rhapsody, Issue 3, April – June 2008
