International students kick Aussie goals

International Monash University students are getting a taste of an Australian sporting insititution.

It was the shape of the footy and the way it bounces that caused most laughter among international students who experienced AFL for the first time.

The multicultural development officer with Richmond Football Club Peter Romaniw and team players were on hand to help guide Monash University's international students through the rigorous paces of AFL football.

The program was a joint initiative between the club, the AFL multicultural program, Monash University's International Student Support office (now Health Wellbeing and Development) and the International Student Friendship Program.

Students were shown a video before embarking on an afternoon of learning how to kick a footy, handball skills and to take a 'screamer' of a mark. Fortunately for all participants, a training-bag was used instead of an opposition player's back.

The session may not have discovered any new shining talent, but it was a great way for international students to learn a little about the code and for the club to promote the game.

"Richmond has just joined the AFL's multicultural program and it's been a wonderful way to showcase the game to students. This is really our first year promoting the game through universityies and it's been wonderful to have Monash embrace the spirit of the program," Mr Romaniw said.

Manager of the International Student Support office on Clayton campus, Ms Robyn Masters, couldn't agree more.

"The AFL afternoon has been a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the relationship between international and local students, and to learn more about a game that is 'uniquely Australian'," Ms Masters said.

More than 30 students participated in the program held at Monash Sport, Clayton and Coordinator of the International Student Friendship Program said it was hoped the program would be expanded to other campuses.

"The day was a fantastic success and we're looking forward to further strengthening our ties with the Richmond Tigers and perhaps engage international students from other campuses in an afternoon of fun and simply 'kicking the footy'," Ms de Simone said.

To add to the students' new-found interest in footy, the club gave away tickets for the Round-2 clash between the Richmond Tigers and Sydney Swans. More than 120 students and volunteers attended the Easter weekend match at the MCG as guests of the multicultural program.