With the new Western Sydney team coming into the AFL soon, I still find it unbelievable that there still has not been any “full-Asian” playing in the AFL (besides Peter Bell – who was adopted by Aussies and other asians half-a century ago you can google)
What I’m trying to get across is that since 1990s, there has never been a typical Asian who’s play the game. I think we should have this debate. Western Sydney is arguably the most populous area in Australia in which a very large proportion come from an Asian background (ie, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc). Now the AFL board knows they have to find a way to promote or at least, have supporters actually support Western Sydney. Why? It’s has always been and still is a rugby background. Ask anyone this or try and find an AFL ground (there’s obviously one in Blacktown which was primarily built recently by the AFL for Western Sydney) and you know what I mean. They’re all rugby grounds. Also, ask anyone what sport the ‘Adelaide Crows’ play, and I can guarantee you that they’ll say rugby league.
Most athletes have already had a say on this issue and Paul Roos (coach of the Sydney Swans) has his doubts (which are fairly obvious) and Barry Hall (Premiership Captain of the 2005 Sydney Swans) also thinks it’s going to be “interesting” to see what happens with a new club in an area where the sport most fans follow is rugby.
What Barry Hall is implying, is that, with the Sydney Swans already ‘punching above it’s weight’ in a highly competitive and tough Sydney sporting market, the introduction of Western Sydney in the AFL would be “interesting” indeed.
Everyone knows how problematic this issue is. First of all, the AFL has made the right decision as the potential in Western Sydney is scary. But, something needs to happen besides being given 1st draft picks or recruiting big AFL or other sporting names.
Now let’s say there’s 5 million people living in the west of Sydney. And assume that approximately 20% of this population are asian, ie 1 in 5.
So that would be 1 million asians. Assuming that those asians who follow mainstream local NSW sport (ie, rugby league) and also there will not be an Asian player in the NRL in 2010, imagine how many of those 1 million asians will follow Western Sydney, and in turn, AFL – if there was a Chinese, Vietnamese or Korean or any other Asian nationality wearing a Western Sydney guernsey?
Not only will they be watching AFL, but the asian community will embrace AFL, and soon enough, word will get around (as Asians do) and will most likely be spread to Asia. Look at Yao Ming (who plays for the Houston Rockets in the NBA). The revenue the NBA is raking up due to the coverage in China and around Asia is unbelievable. I haven’t even mentioned about the expanding population, growing access to Cable TV, internet highlights, etc.
The English Premier League (most followed soccer league in the World) have already realised the massive potential in Asia. For example, Manchester United continue and have recently toured Asia in their pre-season tour for a commercial reason. They follow this up by recruiting talented Asians who they think have the potential to play in the league. Even though most youngsters won’t make it to the first team squad, fans back at home consequently follow Manchester United (and support them as a result).
Basically, what I’m trying to say is..imagine if an Asian represented Western Sydney in the AFL in it’s debut year.
And then envisage what would happen without if there wouldn’t be one Asian in the squad for the next decade. Honestly, all I can say is that, I hope the club survives.
