The Power in Cultural Identity | Alipate Carlile

Half Fijian and half Australian, Alipate 'Bobby' Carlile grew up in Victoria confused about where he fit in... With no obvious cultural group to belong to, he felt like he was missing something; and he went looking for it in footy. From the moment he stepped on the field he started to gain the identity he longed for. As part of the team, it didn't matter what his background was, it only mattered that he could play the game... and Bobby proved himself a special talent, making it all the way to the AFL and playing for a decade with Port Adelaide Football Club. But his pro career almost didn't make it past the early stages when he found himself lost and searching for meaning. It was at this make or break moment that his undiscovered Fijian heritage called to him and led him on a journey of self discovery that enriched his perspective on life and reinvigorated his love of the game. Since hanging up the boots in 2016, Bobby has gone on to lead PAFC's Multicultural Program and empowered hundreds of multicultural youths to embrace the strengths in their culture and love all of who they are.