AFL's 'first Mexican' wants more migration to regional areas as he shows the locals how to kick a footyABC South West Vic
By Daniel Miles
7 July 2021From Mexico to the MCG, then the bush, Edgar Guerrero is trying to use his unique journey to entice other migrants to move to country Victoria.
Key points:
* There are 7.6 million migrants living in Australia according to the latest official figures
* A pilot program helping migrants move to western Victoria is being replicated along the south-west coast
* Migrant groups say more needs to be done help families move to the country
The Mexico City native came to Australia in 2012 with his wife Liz, settling in into a comparatively subdued city life in Melbourne while working various jobs and studying at university.
A successful scholarship application saw him embedded with the Richmond Tigers during their successful AFL Premiership tilt in 2019, something Mr Guerrero said was a transformative experience.
Now, like many of the Richmond faithful, Edgar Guerrero bleeds yellow and black.
"I'm Mexican, and I don't like soccer anywhere near the way I like AFL now," Mr Guerrero said.
The Tigers' dominant Grand Final win cemented Mr Guerrero's love for Australia's national game, putting him on a new path.
"It was an unreal experience, everyone was just so happy and hugging you even if they didn't know your name because you're part of the team," he said.
Edgar Guerrero (middle) won a coaching scholarship that saw him work with the Richmond Tigers.Mr Guerrero works for the AFL in the team's western district offices in Warrnambool, three hours south-west of Melbourne.
"I'm going to schools to promote the game [AFL], teach basic skills to kids, which is something really different" he said.
"I think it's different for the kids. I'm probably the first Mexican to teach Aussie kids how to kick a footy."
Full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-07/the-first-mexican-to-teach-an-aussie-afl/100256276
