AFL Premiership Hero Bachar Houli Promotes Multi-Culturalism in PerthThursday, April 6, 2023 - 3:27 PM

Triple AFL Premiership player Bachar Houli has delivered his vision for the future of the foundation named in his honour.

The West Australian Football Commission, in partnership with the Bachar Houli Foundation, hosted an Iftar Dinner in Perth this week to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The event at Optus Stadium brought together 150 people from across the Muslim community and football.

As part of his address, Houli outlined the work the Foundation has completed and his desire to engage Muslims in our national game.

Some of the highlights of the night were the announcements of the 2023 Bachar Houli Community Award which was presented to Nuria Ushoroff, while the BHF Senior Girls Leadership Program Medal was presented to Nisreen Marouff. (pictured)

Nuria was recognised for her outstanding contribution to football through the Islamic community.

During his visit to Perth, Houli also attended the Australian Islamic College, giving a leadership talk to students.

The Bachar Houli Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to develop young leaders within the Muslim Community.

The Foundation aims to support social cohesion by fostering young Muslims with a sense of belonging through football development.

The WAFC partners with the Foundation to run multicultural programs in the state.

Multicultural participation throughout WA currently sits at 15,000, which equates to 25 per cent of all participants in the state coming from a multicultural background.

Troy Kirkham, Executive Manager Game Development and Community Football at the West Australian Football Commission, is proud of the impact the Foundation has had in WA.

“The dinner was an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that exists within Australia and from within football.

We recognise the significance of this time for our Muslim community and hope they have a blessed Ramadan,” Kirkham said.

The WAFC looks forward to continuing to partner with the Bachar Houli Foundation to drive multicultural outcomes for not only Muslims, but all participants from multicultural backgrounds.