Team profile: Peace Team

Snapshot

For as long as anyone can remember, Israelis and Palestinians have been at war.

Once, it would have seemed unimaginable that the two groups, located in the Middle Eastern region between the Mediterranean Sea and Jordan, would meet peacefully. But collaboration between the Peres Centre for Peace and the AFL has created an opportunity for understanding through a combined Palestinian and Israeli Australian Football side to compete in the 2008 International Cup.

National jumper

Gold with the Peres Centre logo – a dove, symbolising peace.

Australian football history

In January, 100 young men were introduced to Australian football with the aid of a DVD, some expat-Aussies and a whiteboard. Around 40 players were selected for squad training in Jerusalem in February, where AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan taught them the basics during a three-day clinic.

Another camp in April saw them introduced to goal posts and refine their skills in preparation for practice matches against a touring Australian side, losing the first game but winning the second, in June, convincingly.

The final team of 26 players – 13 Israelis and 13 Palestinians – represents a diverse group from 16 to 36 years of age, of Muslim, Jewish and Christian backgrounds. They hail from communities including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Kiriyat Gat, Beersheva, Yeruham and Ra'anana on the Israeli side, and Tulkarem, Jericho, East Jerusalem and Hebron on the Palestinian side. Outside of the AFL framework, the Palestinian and Israeli players would not have the opportunity to meet.

Secret weapon

AFL legends Robert 'Dipper' DiPierdomenico and Ron Barassi imparted their knowledge to the side during a July visit to the region. If they don't bring out the best in a team, no-one will.

'Wazza', 'Lozza', 'Bazza', 'Keg'...

Young Yonatan is known as "Pretty Boy". His cute face coupled with a headband to keep his flowing locks tidy makes him look like he's preparing to strut the catwalk rather than run onto a football field.

The tall guy is Fares, better known as "Big Boy Fares" or "the Friendly Giant".

They even have their own Big Kev. When asked how he feels about visiting Australia, he is purported to have replied: "I'm excited". By the end of the tour – with any luck finding room for a quick dip at a Gold Coast beach – it's envisaged the long and lanky Kev will have adopted a beer belly, a penchant for brightly patterned shirts and some miraculous cleaning tips.

Hardest thing about playing football for the Peace Team

It's a toss-up between four beauties:

1.    Being shut-out of the Israeli training base because a visit from US President George Bush has closed off the West Bank for four days, denying access to Palestinians.
2.    Having to call training off due to a massive snow storm.
3.    Training one team in two languages, Hebrew and Arabic.
4.    Learning to kick a goal without goal posts.

Lost in translation

Training has provided a great opportunity to knock poor habits out of the Peace Team game. Like educating the player who ran into an open goal and proceeded to clutch the ball for dear life while sprinting through the posts and claiming six points. He's since worked on his kicking, but is touted as a shoo-in for the NFL Peace Team, whenever that eventuates.

Peace Team players are naturals at footy because

Why, that's easy. Just have a listen to the team song, sung to tune of Hawthorn's anthem:

We're the footy team for peace
We glide the oval with ease,
With passion and strength we are free
To unite to Victory!