Bachar Houli

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Bachar Houli
Personal information
Full nameBachar Houli
Date of birth (1988-05-12) 12 May 1988
Place of birthMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Original teamSpotswood (WRFL)
Western Jets (TAC Cup)
Draft42nd overall, 2006
Essendon
Height/Weight180cm / 84kg
Position(s)Defender / Midfielder
Club information
Current clubRichmond
Number14
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2007–2010
2011–
Total		Essendon
Richmond		26 0(9)
65 (14)
91 (23)
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 2013 season.
Career highlights

Bachar Houli (born 12 May 1988) is an Australian rules footballer for Richmond in the Australian Football League (AFL). Houli plays as a midfielder. He is the first devout Muslim to play in the AFL.[1]

Early career

Houli was born in Australia to Lebanese parents. The young left-footer began playing football with Spotswood Football Club Under 12s in 2000.[2] After consulting with a Sheikh, Houli decided to break his Ramadan fast for three days during the physical endurance tests at the AFL Draft Camp; this allowed him to record sufficient times to impress recruiters and be a viable selection in the draft.

Houli has said it was hard growing up a devout Muslim, and playing Australian rules football at the same time. There was little amount of sport being played in Islamic schools, and he had to sneak out when he was young in his earlier years in order to just play games without his parents knowing. His persistence to want to play the sport finally led to his parents accepting and supporting of his talents which led him to become an AFL player.[3]

AFL career

Houli was drafted at pick 42 in the 2006 National Draft by Essendon. He played four games for the Bombers in 2007 and kicked three goals. After his impressive performances in the Bombers 2008 NAB Cup he was selected for the Bombers Round 1 team to play the Kangaroos. He played an important part in helping the Bombers secure a 55 point victory and received the first round nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.[4] After the completion of the 2010 trade week, Houli left Essendon and was drafted by Richmond with their only selection in the 2010 Pre-season Draft.[5]

Houli picked up three Brownlow Medal votes following a fantastic display for Richmond against Sydney in Round 21 of the 2011 season.

Personal life

Houli has become a leading influence for many young Australian Muslims; his dedication and commitment to his AFL career has enabled him to become a primary figure in his Muslim community. Houli's role has been likened to that of Hazem El Masri in the Rugby League community, and he currently works one day a week as an AFL cultural ambassador.[6] Adem Yze, a Melbourne regular from 1995 to 2007, was one of the first Muslim Aussie Rules players at AFL level, and Houli has stated his desire to follow in Yze's footsteps. He is also only the second player of a Lebanese background to play in the AFL. He is married to Rouba Abou-Zeid.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Combining faith and football from theage.com.au
  2. ↑ Faith drives Muslim footballer Muslim News UK
  3. ↑ http://tensport.com.au/news/newsarticles/AFL-AFL-aims-to-soften-racial-divides.htm
  4. ↑ Bachar Houli has claimed the Round 1 Rising Star nomination Herald Sun
  5. ↑ Quayle, Emma (9 December 2010). "Houli looks forward to new journey at Punt Road". The Age. Retrieved 8 December 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Prayer rooms compulsory at AFL venues". 19 April 2012. 
  7. ↑ Cresswell, Joel (27 September 2011). "Modesty takes points in fashion race". 

External links

Richmond Football Club – current squad
* denotes Rookie Listed players
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