The Carlton Football Club's Multicultural Ambassadors Program focuses on strengthening the Club's relationship with the wider community. 

The program is made up of individual ambassadors who specialise in focus areas.

One of the ambassadors, David Talalla, draws on his past experiences of migrating to Australia as a child, which is what drives his desire to help others. 

"I was seven-years-old when we departed Malaysia for Australia,” Talalla said. 

"When my brothers and I started primary school in Perth, we found ourselves to be the only non-white children in the playground."

The now 51-year-old says it was during his first week at his new school where he was introduced to AFL.

"I was told if I wanted to make friends, then I needed to be able to kick this weird, brown, egg-shaped ball – which I later learned was a Sherrin,” Talalla said. 

It was then that the Multicultural Ambassador realised the influence that sport had in bringing people together.

Talalla says Carlton's commitment to the cause has been invaluable, and he hopes other sporting clubs follow suit. 

"The Carlton Football Club is playing a great game off the field in helping people integrate into our society," Talalla said. 

"Our football family is rapidly becoming a rich blend of multiple cultures and it's important that we continue to assist in any way we can."

To find out more about the Multicultural Community Ambassadors Program at the Carlton Football Club, contact Doug Stevenson (doug.stevenson@carltonfc.com.au)