The West Coast Eagles made the most of their downtime following the club's thrilling eight-point victory over Port Adelaide by joining children across the metropolitan area to celebrate the 2016 AFL Multicultural Gala Day.
The squad spread itself across northern, southern and central locations to help conduct football clinics throughout the fun-filled afternoon.
The Multicultural Gala Day is an inclusive event run by the WA Football Commission that aims to introduce kids from a variety a backgrounds to AFL Football.
Many of the schools involved are located in low socio-economic areas and the Football Commission provides funding to ensure all students are able to attend and participate in the day.
More than 1000 Year 4-6 students from 19 schools participated in football clinics during this year’s Multicultural Gala Day.
AFL multicultural ambassador Nic Naitanui said the impact of the clinics and day was evident in the number of different ethnicities participating in junior, WAFL and AFL football at present.
“Growing up as a kid it was hard to see too many guys from different backgrounds playing football but now you look at junior clubs – and the WAFL in particular – and you see a lot of guys that have come through these clinics,” Naitanui said.
“A few of those guys are getting a chance now at AFL level, which is awesome to see.”