The Growing Presence of Ghanaian-Australian Players in the AFL

When Collingwood's Isaac Quaynor visited his father's hometown in Ghana at age 10, he was warmly received by his extended family, but also called 'obrouni,' a term in the Ghanaian language Twi meaning a white person. Quaynor, a Melbourne-born kid with Ghanaian-Australian heritage, felt the cultural differences keenly. Drafted by Collingwood in 2018, he made his AFL debut the following year, representing a lifelong journey of navigating identity.

Quaynor, along with Joel Amartey, Connor Idun, and Brandon Walker, shares a heritage rooted in Ghana. Growing up biracial in Australia, they faced challenges of not feeling 'Australian enough' in Australia and being perceived as outsiders in Ghana. Despite these struggles, they have embraced their heritage and found a sense of belonging in the AFL.

The players' stories reflect a journey of self-discovery and cultural connection, with Quaynor hoping to organize initiatives to introduce the sport to African communities, including Ghana, where his roots lie.

According to the source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.