Bachar Houli hopes new academy can lead to more Muslim players in the AFLMICHAEL WARNER
Herald Sun
March 21, 2016BACHAR Houli chuckles about sharing his prayer room at the MCG with the Richmond mascot.
“There’s a little room at the MCG. It’s not just for me, it’s for the mascot, too. Well he uses my room actually. It’s all good,” the defender explains.
“The club has got two places for me (to pray). The MCG has a place, Etihad has a place. Even travelling interstate ... they’ve got that ready for me.
“Prayer is a connection you have with God and it’s something beautiful because it keeps me on track.”
Footy’s best-known Muslim is entering his 10th season and is creating a talent pathway through his academy for Muslims to follow in his steps.
Gold Coast’s Adam Saad is the AFL’s only other Muslim player and Houli has set a target of 10 more being drafted over the next 10 years.
This year there’s academies in five states and the Bachar Houli Cup — a national competition for Islamic schools.
“I’ve got kids from grade 5 up until Year 11 involved and the great thing about it is that the schools are buying in,” Houli says.
“It’s my heart and soul. I want to see more Muslims playing the game at the highest level. It’s so important, not only in terms of football development, but leadership as well.
“These kids get to 17 or 18, they finish school or they don’t even get to Year 12 and they don’t know what to do. They’ve got nothing to fall back on, so we teach them about leadership, how to deal with certain things.”
Houli, 27, the son of Lebanese parents, had to deal with controversy last year after 3AW broadcaster John Burns was accused of calling him a “Muslim terrorist” at a match.
He didn’t dwell on it and took positives from it.
“It created awareness, it created communication. It got out and people knew it wasn’t right, whether he said it or not,” Houli says.
“I think there’s a minority who still have a lot to learn and have to open their mind.”
More drama came against Fremantle in Round 17 after an errant kickout in the dying seconds helped Freo steal victory.
It cost the Tigers a top-four spot, but he hasn’t worried about it.
“I was upset at the time, but ... it’s just a game. That’s what Dimma said to me after the game. He said ‘Look at me’ and he smiled and said: ‘It’s just a frigging game ... just move on. Don’t worry about it’.
“Dimma knows the type of person I am. I can get really down on myself and I blamed myself for the whole game.
“... You know what, I’ll probably stuff up again, maybe not to that extent or it could be worse, but I’m not going to shy away from what I do.
“It’s actually helped me grow as a player.”
Houli’s best buddies are Ivan Maric, Brandon Ellis and skipper Trent Cotchin.
“They’re my close mates but in saying that I’m a floater — I love to get among any group, young or old, and say: ‘Who wants to go out for lunch?’ I can’t spend a lot of time with the boys going out at night having a few beers because that’s not my lifestyle, so I try to make up for that going out for brekkies or lunch.”
He’s not as close to Dustin Martin but rallied behind him during the chopsticks saga.
“I’m not the closest person to Dustin, but I felt for him.
“He’s a shy kid ... up until three years ago Dusty was a man of very few words, but today he’s actually stepping up in meetings.
“He’s bringing up certain things where I say: ‘Hang on, I didn’t really think of that’. And so he should, because he’s a leader of the club, as much as he doesn’t speak a hell of a lot.”
The 137-gamer believes Richmond has built a list with depth and versatility.
“The successful clubs are the ones that have got depth. You look at Hawthorn, Fremantle and West Coast,” he says.
“They’ve got players that can step up and fulfil that role. Throughout the pre-season we have focused on throwing players in different positions so that we become more versatile.
“The game is going to be tougher with less rotations and so we need to find that flexibility.”
Houli’s message to his academy kids is you can be a devout Muslim and play AFL.
“When I first got drafted, people questioned me,” he says.
“They said you’re probably not going to be able to hold on to your faith. You’ll live a luxurious life of women, alcohol and fame. But I grew so much from that, and I said no.
“If something doesn’t fit within my religion, I won’t do it. I won’t compromise. It helps me become a better person.”
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