Latest news with #AhChee
Sydney Morning Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Vitriol continues, numbers decline. A Lions star has called for change
Callum Ah Chee stares down at the Brisbane Lions' Indigenous guernsey proudly at the Gabba, knowing this year's Sir Doug Nicholls Round will carry extra significance. His older brother, Jordan, designed the kit – highlighting his star sibling's journey to the heights of the AFL. But while the game has sought to highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes more prominently, the fight continues. There still is a lack of public understanding and cultural acceptance, Ah Chee says, which has left him and others exposed to vitriol, angst and racist taunts. 'I've experienced it, I think a lot of Indigenous boys around the league have experienced it, and I think with social media these days it's pretty hard to get around it,' Ah Chee says, before his side's clash with the Melbourne Demons on Sunday. Ah Chee – whose mother (Noongar) is of Indigenous and Dutch descent, and his father of Aboriginal (Nyikina and Yawuru) and Chinese heritage – credits his predecessors with stamping out racist comments made in the flesh at games. '[That] doesn't really happen any more, but you see a lot of stuff on social media, and you get messages here and there, which is really disappointing.' What's important, he adds, is that his club stands by him when he speaks out. 'I know who I am, and I'm really proud to be an Indigenous person and am proud of where I come from, and I'm excited to showcase that this weekend.' Loading Ah Chee's words follow the Willie Rioli saga in Port Adelaide, with Power football department boss Chris Davies highlighting his star had been subjected to racial vilification 'every day' on social media. Ah Chee, accepting he is now a role model for the next generation, wants education on First Nations culture to extend beyond Indigenous rounds, with more opportunities for school children and the public to 'ask about their stories, who they are, and their experiences'. 'I think for young Indigenous kids watching on TV, they see our faces and can relate to us. You look at someone like Charlie Cameron and Kiddy Coleman – they're superstars, and they came from similar backgrounds as young Indigenous kids,' Ah Chee says. 'It just makes it realistic for them. If you have a dream out there, if you're a young Indigenous kid, don't let anyone tell you that you can't get there. 'Adam Goodes, Buddy Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Eddie Betts. They were ... not just superstars of the game but what they did in the community and standing up for our people, they're idols to me and really got me wanting to play footy. 'Because I saw them on TV playing the game, I thought I'd be able to. If they're able to do that, why can't I?' This year, the AFL's 62 Indigenous players on squad lists marks a significant decline from the 87 who took the field in 2020. The University of Queensland's Dr Kai Wheeler believes there may be positives in that, alluding to more diverse role models now being tapped into by First Nations communities outside of sport. But there is still 'a significant amount of racism in sport and racist attitudes prevailing in society', says Wheeler, the director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy at the school of human movement and nutrition science. Wheeler said education on First Nations culture needed to extend beyond one round a season, especially given the feelings of exclusion that were voiced after the recent ANZAC Day and NRL Welcome to Country debacles. 'I think what you saw with the Melbourne Storm [cancelling their Welcome to Country] was an absolute mess, and resulted in a lot of pain, anguish and grief that didn't need to be caused,' he says. 'One of the things that brings up is feelings of not being welcomed in your own country. As an Aboriginal person, that tells me we're actually not welcome, and that's problematic in trying to get more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into sport.' Wheeler sees the result of the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to parliament as a sign that a 'vast majority of the Australian community' did not want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a voice. 'That has flow-on effects,' he says. 'That has an impact beyond just that vote.' He points to South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell, who faced a backlash for vocally condemning racism, to illustrate the risk young athletes take stepping into the public eye. 'As you become a role model, you're put on this pedestal, and you're that tall poppy everybody would like to cut down,' he says. 'It's pretty vicious, and I guess that's the risk is that if you become an elite sportsperson, and you become that role model everybody looks up to, then it's a pretty heavy fall if they start tearing you down on social media.' Loading For Wheeler, awareness of the risks of social media is as important for elite athletes as it is for young people like his 13-year-old son. 'Keeping him off social media and trying to educate him about the ways can be harnessed for good, and not doom-scrolling … is really important,' he says. 'But this needs to be invested heavily in elites as well, so that flow-on effect is very early in place. I can't imagine what it would be like for a parent of young people who are progressing to the elite level.
The Age
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Vitriol continues, numbers decline. A Lions star has called for change
Callum Ah Chee stares down at the Brisbane Lions' Indigenous guernsey proudly at the Gabba, knowing this year's Sir Doug Nicholls Round will carry extra significance. His older brother, Jordan, designed the kit – highlighting his star sibling's journey to the heights of the AFL. But while the game has sought to highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes more prominently, the fight continues. There still is a lack of public understanding and cultural acceptance, Ah Chee says, which has left him and others exposed to vitriol, angst and racist taunts. 'I've experienced it, I think a lot of Indigenous boys around the league have experienced it, and I think with social media these days it's pretty hard to get around it,' Ah Chee says, before his side's clash with the Melbourne Demons on Sunday. Ah Chee – whose mother (Noongar) is of Indigenous and Dutch descent, and his father of Aboriginal (Nyikina and Yawuru) and Chinese heritage – credits his predecessors with stamping out racist comments made in the flesh at games. '[That] doesn't really happen any more, but you see a lot of stuff on social media, and you get messages here and there, which is really disappointing.' What's important, he adds, is that his club stands by him when he speaks out. 'I know who I am, and I'm really proud to be an Indigenous person and am proud of where I come from, and I'm excited to showcase that this weekend.' Loading Ah Chee's words follow the Willie Rioli saga in Port Adelaide, with Power football department boss Chris Davies highlighting his star had been subjected to racial vilification 'every day' on social media. Ah Chee, accepting he is now a role model for the next generation, wants education on First Nations culture to extend beyond Indigenous rounds, with more opportunities for school children and the public to 'ask about their stories, who they are, and their experiences'. 'I think for young Indigenous kids watching on TV, they see our faces and can relate to us. You look at someone like Charlie Cameron and Kiddy Coleman – they're superstars, and they came from similar backgrounds as young Indigenous kids,' Ah Chee says. 'It just makes it realistic for them. If you have a dream out there, if you're a young Indigenous kid, don't let anyone tell you that you can't get there. 'Adam Goodes, Buddy Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Eddie Betts. They were ... not just superstars of the game but what they did in the community and standing up for our people, they're idols to me and really got me wanting to play footy. 'Because I saw them on TV playing the game, I thought I'd be able to. If they're able to do that, why can't I?' This year, the AFL's 62 Indigenous players on squad lists marks a significant decline from the 87 who took the field in 2020. The University of Queensland's Dr Kai Wheeler believes there may be positives in that, alluding to more diverse role models now being tapped into by First Nations communities outside of sport. But there is still 'a significant amount of racism in sport and racist attitudes prevailing in society', says Wheeler, the director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy at the school of human movement and nutrition science. Wheeler said education on First Nations culture needed to extend beyond one round a season, especially given the feelings of exclusion that were voiced after the recent ANZAC Day and NRL Welcome to Country debacles. 'I think what you saw with the Melbourne Storm [cancelling their Welcome to Country] was an absolute mess, and resulted in a lot of pain, anguish and grief that didn't need to be caused,' he says. 'One of the things that brings up is feelings of not being welcomed in your own country. As an Aboriginal person, that tells me we're actually not welcome, and that's problematic in trying to get more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into sport.' Wheeler sees the result of the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to parliament as a sign that a 'vast majority of the Australian community' did not want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a voice. 'That has flow-on effects,' he says. 'That has an impact beyond just that vote.' He points to South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell, who faced a backlash for vocally condemning racism, to illustrate the risk young athletes take stepping into the public eye. 'As you become a role model, you're put on this pedestal, and you're that tall poppy everybody would like to cut down,' he says. 'It's pretty vicious, and I guess that's the risk is that if you become an elite sportsperson, and you become that role model everybody looks up to, then it's a pretty heavy fall if they start tearing you down on social media.' Loading For Wheeler, awareness of the risks of social media is as important for elite athletes as it is for young people like his 13-year-old son. 'Keeping him off social media and trying to educate him about the ways can be harnessed for good, and not doom-scrolling … is really important,' he says. 'But this needs to be invested heavily in elites as well, so that flow-on effect is very early in place. I can't imagine what it would be like for a parent of young people who are progressing to the elite level.
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Real meaning of AFL's Indigenous round
Brisbane Lions forward Callum Ah Chee says Sir Doug Nicholls Round is just as much about educating the community about Indigenous culture as it as about football, with racism on social media remaining a problem that needs to be stamped out. Ah Chee, a Nyoongar Yawaru Nyikina Pakyju man, and his family designed the Lions' Indigenous guernsey to be worn on Sunday when Brisbane hosts Melbourne at the Gabba. 'It's pretty much a story of my journey to the Brisbane Lions and my family's journey as well,' Ah Chee said of the design. 'It's a story of four rivers (Fitzroy, Murray, Yarra and Brisbane) … which is really special. I'm just really excited for the boys to wear it this week. It's turned out really well.' Ah Chee said it was important for the wider community to learn about Indigenous culture, hoping it would help lessen incidents of racism. Callum Ah Chee and his children Daisy, 10 months, and Iver, 3, proudly wear the Lions' Indigenous guernsey. Nigel Hallett Credit: Supplied 'People are learning more and more about it in schools now, which is fantastic,' he said. 'There are young people in the community when we go out and do appearances, and they're really excited to learn about it now, which is fantastic and awesome to see. 'That is the great thing about (Sir Doug Nicholls) round – it brings our culture to the forefront. 'It's not just about the football. It starts a conversation about our culture with people out there.' Ah Chee has been a target of racists throughout his life, with social media nowadays being an unwanted platform for racism. 'People saying racist things here and there over the fence (at games) doesn't really happen anymore, but you see a lot of stuff on social media, and you get messages here and there, which is really disappointing,' he said. 'The good thing is that when that happens, the club really gets around us and the community as well. There are a lot of people who really stand by us, and we're going a long way with that. 'I know who I am, and I'm really proud to be an Indigenous person, and proud of where I come from, and I'm excited to showcase that this weekend.' Ah Chee's teammate Hugh McCluggage said it would be an honour to represent the club's Indigenous players – who also include Charlie Cameron and Keidean Coleman – on Sunday when the first-placed Lions bid to return to winning form after their 71-71 weekend draw against North Melbourne in Hobart. 'To hear their stories throughout the week is awesome,' McCluggage said. 'We've been doing it for quite some time now, and there's a lot that we don't know, so every chance we get to listen to them and to learn is great for us. 'We lacked a little bit of energy down in Hobart, so you hope that naturally we bounce back, but this is just another thing that will add to that as well.'
West Australian
13-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Brisbane Lions forward Callum Ah Chee says racism on social media is a problem that needs fixing
Brisbane Lions forward Callum Ah Chee says Sir Doug Nicholls Round is just as much about educating the community about Indigenous culture as it as about football, with racism on social media remaining a problem that needs to be stamped out. Ah Chee, a Nyoongar Yawaru Nyikina Pakyju man, and his family designed the Lions' Indigenous guernsey to be worn on Sunday when Brisbane hosts Melbourne at the Gabba. 'It's pretty much a story of my journey to the Brisbane Lions and my family's journey as well,' Ah Chee said of the design. 'It's a story of four rivers (Fitzroy, Murray, Yarra and Brisbane) … which is really special. I'm just really excited for the boys to wear it this week. It's turned out really well.' Ah Chee said it was important for the wider community to learn about Indigenous culture, hoping it would help lessen incidents of racism. 'People are learning more and more about it in schools now, which is fantastic,' he said. 'There are young people in the community when we go out and do appearances, and they're really excited to learn about it now, which is fantastic and awesome to see. 'That is the great thing about (Sir Doug Nicholls) round – it brings our culture to the forefront. 'It's not just about the football. It starts a conversation about our culture with people out there.' Ah Chee has been a target of racists throughout his life, with social media nowadays being an unwanted platform for racism. 'People saying racist things here and there over the fence (at games) doesn't really happen anymore, but you see a lot of stuff on social media, and you get messages here and there, which is really disappointing,' he said. 'The good thing is that when that happens, the club really gets around us and the community as well. There are a lot of people who really stand by us, and we're going a long way with that. 'I know who I am, and I'm really proud to be an Indigenous person, and proud of where I come from, and I'm excited to showcase that this weekend.' Ah Chee's teammate Hugh McCluggage said it would be an honour to represent the club's Indigenous players – who also include Charlie Cameron and Keidean Coleman – on Sunday when the first-placed Lions bid to return to winning form after their 71-71 weekend draw against North Melbourne in Hobart. 'To hear their stories throughout the week is awesome,' McCluggage said. 'We've been doing it for quite some time now, and there's a lot that we don't know, so every chance we get to listen to them and to learn is great for us. 'We lacked a little bit of energy down in Hobart, so you hope that naturally we bounce back, but this is just another thing that will add to that as well.'
News.com.au
25-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Milestone man Callum Ah Chee has found his ‘real niche' at the Brisbane Lions
Milestone man Callum Ah Chee doesn't doubt himself anymore – and with good reason after kicking four goals in an AFL grand final, contending for the Norm Smith Medal and winning a top-flight premiership. Ahead of his 150th AFL appearance in Brisbane's clash against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, the popular Lion admits that early in his career, he was weighed down by the burden of being chosen at number eight in the 2015 national draft by the Gold Coast Suns. 'I probably put a lot of pressure on myself to perform and show people why I got drafted so high, and that didn't help,' Ah Chee said. However, the didn't stop the Lions taking a chance on the Perth product by bringing him to the club ahead of the 2020 season despite making just one AFL appearance in 2019 for the Suns. 'I'm six years in at the Lions, and loved my time here, and hopefully I can play a few more games,' Ah Chee said. 'I feel really at home now at the Lions, I understand the game plan really well, understand how my teammates like to play the game, and that's definitely helped.' That was obvious at the business end of last season, including Brisbane's 60-point grand final thrashing of Sydney, with Ah Chee's four goals part of a performance that resulted in him finishing third in the Norm Smith Medal voting for best-on-ground behind runner-up Lachie Neale and winner Will Ashcroft. 'I've got a lot of belief in myself, especially from that finals campaign last year, and knowing that I can stand up in some big moments,' Ah Chee said. 'That's given me a lot of confidence coming into this year, and I feel like when I have pressure on me, I'm able just to think my way through it a little bit more and just go out and play footy. 'I feel like I'm playing my most instinctive footy now, and just going out and having fun and realising the opportunity I have.' Lions coach Chris Fagan said 27-year-old Ah Chee had gone from being a 'Mr Fix It' to finding his 'teal niche' and 'real influence' in Brisbane's team as a forward. 'His capacity to keep opposition defenders in check, and to also be able to score while creating opportunities for others has been fantastic,' Fagan said. 'It's a pretty hard-earned 150 games. His career hasn't always been straight-forward, but his last 12 or so months with us have been fantastic. 'Hopefully we can play well for his big moment.' The Lions are intent on bouncing back from their first loss of the season after being beaten by 52 points last Thursday by Collingwood. Ah Chee was confident the Lions would respond to the defeat. 'We trained the house down over the last few days. We've got a few things that we needed to work on internally, and feel like we've addressed those,' he said. 'We expect (St Kilda's) best. They're going to come out firing, so we're looking at throwing the first punch, and hopefully come away with the chocolates.'
