- Bachar Houli
Infobox afl player | firstname = Bachar
lastname = Houli
heightweight = 180cm, 85kg
birthdate = Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|5|12
birthplace =
originalteam =Western Jets (TAC Cup )
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = 11 May 2007
debutteam = Essendon Bombers
debutopponent =North Melbourne Football Club
debutstadium =Telstra Dome
playingteams = Essendon Bombers (2007-)14 games, 7 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2008
careerhighlights =
*NAB AFL Rising Star Nominee, R1 2008Bachar Houli (
Arabic : بشار الحولي, IPA-en-au|ˈbæʃɚ ˈhʉliː inAustralian English ) (born 12 May 1988) is anAustralian rules football er.Houli plays as a midfielder and was drafted at pick 42 in the 2006 National Draft to the
Essendon Football Club in the AFL. He is the first devoutMuslim to play at AFL level. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/news/afl/combining-faith-and-football/2006/11/26/1164476072302.html Combining faith and football] from theage.com.au]Houli was born in
Australia to Lebanese parents. He played junior football with Spotswood under 12s. [ [http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=2830 Faith drives Muslim footballer] Muslim News UK]After consulting with a
Sheikh , Houli decided to break hisRamadan fast for three days during the physical endurance tests at the AFL Draft Camp; this allowed him to record sufficient times to impress recruiters and be a viable selection in the draft.Bachar played four games for the Bombers in 2007 and kicked three goals. After his impressive performances in the Bombers 2008
NAB Cup he was selected for the Bombers Round 1 team to play the Kangaroos. He played an important part in helping the Bombers secure a 55 point victory and received the first round nomination for theAFL Rising Star award . [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23433464-19742,00.html Bachar Houli has claimed the Round 1 Rising Star nomination] Herald Sun]Houli has become a leading influence for many young Australian Muslims; his dedication and commitment to his AFL career has enabled him to become a primary figure in his Muslim community. Houli's role has been likened to that of
Hazem El Masri in the Rugby League community.Adem Yze , a Melboure Demons regular from 1995 to 2007, was one of the first Muslim Aussie Rules players at AFL level, and Houli has stated his desire to follow in Yze's footsteps. [Schwarz, L. [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/bachar-houlis-debut/2007/05/11/1178390555098.html?page=2 Footy's newest star finds his fans from afar] , "The Age", May 12, 2007.]References
External links
*Essplayer|ref=15465
*AflRleague|ref=B/Bachar_Houli.html
* [http://www.theage.com.au/multimedia/islamoz/main.html Bachar's video interview with The Age]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
