Talkin Sport - BACHAR HOULI TO DEBUT FOR ESSENDON

angpap writes "BACHAR HOULI TO DEBUT FOR ESSENDON

Exciting on-baller, Bachar Houli, will receive an advance birthday present when he plays his first senior AFL game for the Essendon Football Club on Friday night at Telstra Dome against the Kangaroos.

Coach, Kevin Sheedy, said the 18 year old - who celebrates his 19 birthday on Saturday - has been selected after a number of stand-out performances with the Bendigo Bombers over the past three weeks including 32 disposals against Williamstown on the weekend.

"Friday night is a great opportunity for the young man and we are looking forward to him beginning his AFL career," he said.

"He will be a favourite of the crowd because he is a hard working young player which is the sort of footballer Essendon supporters love."

The third-round pick in the 2006 NAB AFL draft (number 42 overall), Bachar is known for his aerobic capacity and reads the play well. A left-footer, he played for the Western Jets and represented Vic Metro in 2006.

Bendigo Bombers coach, Matthew Knights, said 180cm Bachar has the skills and fitness for AFL football.

"He put the ball inside 50m 11 times on the weekend for the Bendigo Bombers and played what I would call a complete game. His two way running, pressure and tackling have been a feature of his game over the past three weeks," he said.

"I am confident Bachar will develop into a AFL good player and have a successful career."

Essendon CEO, Peter Jackson, said that, beyond football, Bachar had played a key role in the club's work with the multicultural community.

"We conduct a Multicultural program which aims to get newly arrived refugees and multicultural communities involved in football. The program features an 18 week course in more than 20 schools in the north-west region reaching approximately 2000 students. Schools participate in clinics, game visit, multicultural cup, visit to Windy Hill and many other activities. Other Multicultural programs that the club conduct are the Walk in Harmony, Clean-up Flemington and Brave program. Bachar has been heavily involved in all initiatives," Mr Jackson said.

"He has attend several multicultural school visits, participated in the harmony walk to the Dome and always finds time to speak to students about his culture and beliefs."

Craig Rowston
Media Manager - Essendon Football Club "

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