Brisbane Lions forward Callum Ah Chee says racism on social media is a problem that needs fixing

Brisbane Lions star Callum Ah Chee says the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round starts a much-needed conversation about Indigenous culture.

Brisbane Lions forward Callum Ah Chee says Sir Doug Nicholls Round is just as much about educating the community about Indigenous culture as it as about football, with racism on social media remaining a problem that needs to be stamped out.

Ah Chee, a Nyoongar Yawaru Nyikina Pakyju man, and his family designed the Lions’ Indigenous guernsey to be worn on Sunday when Brisbane hosts Melbourne at the Gabba.

“It’s pretty much a story of my journey to the Brisbane Lions and my family’s journey as well,” Ah Chee said of the design.

“It’s a story of four rivers (Fitzroy, Murray, Yarra and Brisbane) … which is really special. I’m just really excited for the boys to wear it this week. It’s turned out really well.”

Ah Chee said it was important for the wider community to learn about Indigenous culture, hoping it would help lessen incidents of racism.

Callum Ah Chee and his children Daisy, 10 months, and Iver, 3, proudly wear the Lions’ Indigenous guernsey. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“People are learning more and more about it in schools now, which is fantastic,” he said.

“There are young people in the community when we go out and do appearances, and they’re really excited to learn about it now, which is fantastic and awesome to see.

“That is the great thing about (Sir Doug Nicholls) round – it brings our culture to the forefront.

“It’s not just about the football. It starts a conversation about our culture with people out there.”

Ah Chee has been a target of racists throughout his life, with social media nowadays being an unwanted platform for racism.

“People saying racist things here and there over the fence (at games) doesn’t really happen anymore, but you see a lot of stuff on social media, and you get messages here and there, which is really disappointing,” he said.

“The good thing is that when that happens, the club really gets around us and the community as well. There are a lot of people who really stand by us, and we’re going a long way with that.

“I know who I am, and I’m really proud to be an Indigenous person, and proud of where I come from, and I’m excited to showcase that this weekend.”

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Ah Chee’s teammate Hugh McCluggage said it would be an honour to represent the club’s Indigenous players – who also include Charlie Cameron and Keidean Coleman – on Sunday when the first-placed Lions bid to return to winning form after their 71-71 weekend draw against North Melbourne in Hobart.

“To hear their stories throughout the week is awesome,” McCluggage said.

“We’ve been doing it for quite some time now, and there’s a lot that we don’t know, so every chance we get to listen to them and to learn is great for us.

“We lacked a little bit of energy down in Hobart, so you hope that naturally we bounce back, but this is just another thing that will add to that as well.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions forward Callum Ah Chee says racism on social media is a problem that needs fixing