Adel Salman,the president of the Islamic Council of Victoria,toldThe Age he could understand why Zreika had chosen to sit out the game rather than wear the jumper if she thought it would compromise her religious values and principles.
However,that did not mean that the judgment was easy,with each individual having to determine how they dealt with their faith in their personal lives when confronting societal issues or questions important to their community.
“It’s complex ... given the AFL is an inclusive environment and there is respect for all different and divergent view I am hoping,and I am sure she would be hoping as well,that her club and the AFL community would respect her choices on that matter,” Salman said.
She played in last year’s pride round in the AFLW,which is designed to celebrate diversity and inclusivity,but the Giants did not then wear a specific jumper supporting the round.
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The club had decided to wear the jumper in a home match at Henson Park in Marrickville in round four rather than during pride round,as it was playing in Victoria last week.
Zreika is highly regarded for her work within the local community and she is expected to have ongoing conversations with teammates about the issue after this match.
She has played all three matches in 2022,having won last season’s AFLW goal of the year and represented the club in the AFL Women’s grand final sprint. She received coaches’ votes in round one and is a quick,pressure forward.
It is not the first time a sportsperson has made such a decision. American soccer player Jaelene Daniels (née Hinkle) chose not to accept a call-up to the US Women’s team after deciding she did not want to wear a pride guernsey because of her faith.
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Pride round is a key feature of the AFLW season.
Tanya Hosch,the league’s social policy and inclusion manager,said at the launch the league was “actively building our understanding of what it means to be inclusive in partnership with people across the spectrum of the code and with great generosity of players,officials,staff and fans”.
Meanwhile,the match between St Kilda and West Coast,which was scheduled for Friday night,will not proceed. The Eagles are unable to field a team due to the number of players they have isolating with COVID-19.
It has become a common occurrence in the 2022 AFLW season,with the Eagles the latest club unable to field a team. The AFL said it would work with both clubs to determine a future fixture.
The AFL has also determined that a round of matches will include all games played within that week beginning on Wednesday until the following Tuesday. Teams can play in more than one match during the one round.