West Coast Eagles ruckman and teenage sensation Nic Naitanui swapped smiles and words of wisdom with hundreds of excited admirers this week as he made an appearance at Lightning Park in Noranda as part of the AFL Multicultural ‘North of the River’ carnival.

Naitanui, whose family is from Fiji, spoke about the important role football has played in his life and encouraged others from multicultural backgrounds to have a go, not only at the carnivals, but also through local community clubs.

Organised as part of a Community Participation initiative with both the West Australian Football Commission and Department of Sport and Recreation, the carnival saw multicultural youth participate in modified football games and activities.

The event aimed to expose primary and secondary school children to AFL football through participation in round-robin matches as well skills and drills.  Furthermore, the event is a vehicle to assist multicultural youth and families join local football clubs.

West Australian Football Commission director of football Grant Dorrington encouraged players from all backgrounds and levels to get involved in Australia’s inclusive national game.

“With the Community Multicultural Program we see football being used as a link for young people and families from across the globe to participate in local football clubs and play structured football on the weekend,” he said.

“We encourage people from non-traditional football communities to get involved with our national sport and to those who are new to our great game, we say welcome.”

Department of Sport and Recreation director general Ron Alexander said sport was a wonderful way to enjoy life, stay healthy and build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities.

“I can say from personal experience that football achieves all of these things and more. I can think of no better way to integrate into the Aussie way of life than becoming a part of a football club. Nothing breaks down racial and cultural barriers better than being part of a multi-cultural sports team,” he said.

“Not only that, it instills human values such as fair play, respect for others, teamwork, harmonious living and leadership - qualities that are so important in modern day society.”