Funding grant helps Hume’s multicultural footy team dream big

Avtar Singh wanted to see more of his Indian community take part in Australian rules football so he kickstarted an Auskick centre. Now they have received funding to help the club’s girls and women star.

Harleen Kaur, Gurreet Kaur and Samreen Kaur with Avtar Singh, the founder of Hume Bombers Football Club. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Every Sunday, nine-year-old Harleen Kaur can’t wait to get up at 7am.

The Craigieburn girl, who is a member of the Hume Bombers Football Club, says the early start is bearable because she gets to play.

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“I have been playing footy for two years,” Harleen said. “I like it. It’s fun and active.”

Started in 2012 with an Auskick centre, the club, which now fields under-9s and under-11s, promotes Australia’s national sport among the migrant Indian population.

This year the club’s Auskick centre got even closer to kicking goals thanks to a community grant from AFLW and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

The funds are aimed to inspire girls and women at every level to be part of the game.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers principal Liberty Sanger said they were proud to support AFL’s work in promoting and fighting for gender equality and a level playing field for all.

Club founder Avtar Singh said the money would go a long way to set them up.

“For a start-up club, any help is great,” he said.

“Uniforms, buying new footies … when you add up these little costs, it is a big cost for the club.”

Mr Singh said his goal was to see an Indian-Australian playing in the league.

“To be part of this country, you need to participate in the main sport. Because sport is a language that everybody understands,” he said.

“We want to make one [legendary Indian cricketer] Sachin Tendulkar for AFL.”