David Zaharakis and Dyson Heppell are among 19 AFL and AFLW players named as 2017 Australia Post AFL Multicultural Player Ambassadors. 

Multicultural players make up 15 per cent of AFL players throughout the 18 clubs.

As part of his ambassadorial role Zaharakis will continue working on AFL Victoria’s talent programs, mentoring young multicultural players and attend key multicultural events. 

Heppell will show his support for the Victorian multicultural strategy through key appearances at multicultural events, including the Multicultural Round.

Multicultural Round will be held in round 19 this year with Essendon playing Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday July 30^th.

Both Zaharakis and Heppell have been central figures in the Bombers multicultural and diversity programs in recent years.

The pair travelled to India in 2015 alongside Joe Daniher and Zach Merrett as part of the Club’s push to further strengthen its relationship with the Indian community abroad and in the northwest corridor of Melbourne.