In 2016, multicultural players make up 15 per cent of the AFL player lists across the 18 AFL Clubs.

The Fremantle Dockers Multicultural Academy was established to provide a development hub for aspiring footballers to ensure this number continues to grow.

The academy recently ran a three-day talent search across Perth to capture aspiring AFL footballers.

A total of 148 registered participants competed across the three days, from a range of countries, including Trinidad, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Scotland, Germany, Croatia, Serbia, USA and South Africa.

Participants were put through AFL draft combine testing, which included clean hands test, kicking test, 20m sprint, agility test and vertical jump.

Leading by example

Highlights from the academy included two participants completing the 20m sprint in under 3 seconds, plus one participant recording an impressive running vertical leap of 3.16m.

Those who participated in the talent search days are now invited to attend two training and education sessions to be held on Monday 1 August and Thursday 17 August.

A number of players will be selected to play in a friendly game on Domain Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Fremantle v Western Bulldogs match in round 22.

Keep an eye out for these exciting players!