Star Carlton AFLW forward Darcy Vescio has today been unveiled as a 2020 AFL Multicultural Ambassador.

Vescio, along with 18 other footballers from community, state league and elite level football, will work closely with diverse communities to engage with people from multicultural backgrounds to connect with the game of Australian Rules football.

The 26-year-old is one of three players from the NAB AFL Women’s competition to be unveiled as a 2020 AFL Multicultural Ambassador.

Alongside this, the league has welcomed a record 11 dedicated multicultural-themed games throughout the 2020 AFL season, with Carlton facing St Kilda in Round 8 for Multicultural Round.

Speaking on the Behind the Game Changers podcast earlier this year, Vescio spoke of her involvement in the AFL’s Multicultural program.

“To be honest, initially when I got asked (in 2016) I was like ‘Oh, I’m not even multicultural, why are you asking me?’,” she said.

“I realised it’s how other people see you as well and it’s all the little things you experience that are normal to you that might not be normal to other people.”

With both Chinese and Italian heritage, Vescio didn't consider the possibility that she would appear different within her sport.

But after being offered the role, she began to see how voice and unique background could make an impact.

“They showed a picture of the Seven commentary team, the umpires and the AFL captains and they were all just versions of the exact same person,” she said.

“Why would someone who looks a bit different look at that and think ‘Oh, that’s the sport for me?’.”

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BTGC Podcast | Darcy talks multicultural ambassadorship

Darcy Vescio talks about her role as a multicultural ambassador and making an impact beyond football

After getting on board with the role, Vescio immediately felt the positive impact she was making.

“I think visibility is a really important thing either with AFLW just seeing women in sport or seeing multicultural faces,” she said.

“It was just about elevating different people and showing people that they can be part of the game in whatever capacity.”

Now in her fourth season of AFLW with Carlton, Vescio is recognised as a powerful ambassador for the sport who advocates for change and acceptance of everyone.