Brisbane Lions‘ multicultural ambassador Patrick Karnezis visited Woodridge North State School last night to kick off a big week for the Auskick participants at the school.
Wednesday, 18 May, 2011
Brisbane Lions’ multicultural ambassador Patrick Karnezis visited Woodridge North State School last night to kick off a big week for the Auskick participants at the school.
Karnezis, a first-year player at the Lions pressing hard for senior selection after four goals in the Reserves last weekend, put the Woodridge North students through their paces ahead of another thrill this weekend.
On Saturday night 25 students from the school will participate in the halftime activities at the Gabba during the Lions’ AFL clash with North Melbourne.
Karnezis, of European/Greek heritage, has embraced the multicultural ambassadorial role at the Lions as it is has enabled him to contribute back to the game at a grassroots level.
Woodridge is one of eight NAB AFL Auskick centres in south-east Queensland committed to multi-cultural activities.
The Australian Islamic College at Forest Lake, Forest Lake Juniors and Moorooka Juniors completed specific programs in Term 1 of the school year, while Zillmere and Woodridge North are presently under way.
Soon to join the program, run in conjunction with the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, is the Toowoomba Auskick Centre, Yeronga Juniors and Coomera Juniors.
Ryan said AFLQ already had more than 150 culturally or linguistically diverse students involved in the program thus far, and expected to reach close to 300 by the end of June.
“We are still in the very early stages but we are particularly excited about our early achievements in relation to multicultural engagement and with the great support of the Lions and Suns we are looking forward to what the remainder of the program will bring” Ryan said.
Ryan said he is hoping to include a further AFL halftime experience at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast on 25 June, when the Suns play the Western Bulldogs.
