SCOTT Farley will go into untapped recruiting territory when he introduces Japanese primary school children to Aussie rules this year in Warrnambool’s sister city of Miura.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a population where soccer and baseball reign as major sports, the Warrnambool teacher will probably have some perplexed looks as he tries to explain the intricacies of our game.
His task will be made a bit easier by donated footballs — three from the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League, two from Old Collegians Football Netball Club and one from Warrnambool City Council.
City council economic development and grants officer Annabel Cussen said it was a generous gesture by the league and club to assist with the cultural exchange.
“I believe this will be the first time anyone has tried to teach Aussie rules in Miura school physical education classes where there is very little exposure to our sport,” she told The Standard.
“When I was in Miura for two years I remember trying to explain it with diagrams and got some very puzzled looks.
“Real-life demonstrations like Scott will do is the best example of this interesting part of Australian culture.”
Mr Farley who works in the Miura school system is the official cultural exchange representative for the sister-city relationship.
There have been several official exchanges in past years and another group of Miura students will visit Warrnambool in August on an exchange program.
“Any Warrnambool district people who may be going to Japan would be welcome to visit Miura and we can help them make contacts and engage with Scott,” Ms Cussen said.