Bachar El Haouli OAM

An impressive 232 games over a 15-year career in the Australian Football League is just a portion of the work and impact which led Bachar El Haouli OAM to be recognised by the Order of Australia.  

Mr El Haouli’s AFL career started in Essendon Football Club in 2007. He played 26 games for the club before he moved to Richmond Football Club, where he played 206 games and won three premierships. 

He was the first devout Muslim to play the game at the highest level. 

Mr El Haouli is also the founder of the Bachar Houli Foundation, a community-based organisation empowering young Muslims through sports, and is the director of the Islamic College of Sport.  

For his work, he was recognised for service to the Islamic community, to multiculturalism, and to Australian rules football.  

“As the first practicing Muslim to play AFL, I understand the challenges young people of minority groups face in their journey, and I thrive off seeing them grow as good young people who become leaders and better individuals,” he says. 

“My faith also drives me to give back and invest in the community, particularly our next generation of leaders. 

“The greatest impact of my work has been the establishment of the Bachar Houli Foundation, and providing young Muslim boys and girls with opportunities to be the best versions of themselves, but also bridging communities together through education and social cohesion.” 

 Mr El Haouli is also ambassador for Athletes for Hope, as well as multicultural ambassador and former member of the Racial and Vilification Subcommittee at the AFL.  

“There have been so many people who have shaped me as an individual both on and off the field but also amazing organisations and businesses who have been amazing supporters that have made our community work possible,” he says.  

“My family and friends, the AFL and its whole ecosystem, the Bachar Houli Foundation team and wider Australian community, thank you.”