Brazilian Thiago Vacite is an example of how exposure to Australian Football can develop a love of the game and the Crows.
Thiago has never been to Adelaide or Australia but since he chose the Crows as his team, his passion has been fuelled by joining Facebook forums and watching the games online.
Some of Thiago’s Australian online friends are even trying to raise funds to fly him to Australia to watch the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
Our request through Facebook for stories about Crows multicultural fans also found Pat Hagan, from the United States, who discovered the game on TV during early morning baby feeding sessions.
Read some of the fan stories from our Facebook page …
Thiago Vacite: I'm from Porto Alegre in the south of Brazil and love watching many different sports from around the world but like most people from my country I'm very passionate about soccer. I attended a World Cup game in my home state stadium in 2014 played between Australia and Netherlands and met a few Aussie lads from WA who told me about AFL rules football. After the disaster of Brazil being knocked out of the tournament by Germany I started watching more and more AFL footy and although I didn't understand the rules well I loved the tough, fast and skilful style of game being played and became hooked quickly. I needed to find a team to follow and found a strong connection to the story and history behind the Adelaide Crows Football Club.
I soon learnt that the Crows were a successful team from one of the smaller cities of Australia and had always had to fight hard against the powerful teams from the bigger city of Melbourne and were struggling to make finals in 2014. I felt my home soccer team (S.C Inter) was in a very similar situation in Brazil and really liked the connection between the two clubs. The players I enjoy watching the most are Sloane for his heart, passion and commitment to the contest, Tex for the strength, power and leadership he shows in the big moments, Eddie for his magical goals and Milera the skills he shows for such a young player. I wanted to interact with some other Crows fans to chat about the games and found a few Facebook groups with many passionate fans who have helped me understand the game and everything that surrounds it from the players, rules, rivalries and most importantly the feelings of the dedicated supporters. I was even lucky enough to receive a special package full of Crows gear that included a beautiful Crows guernsey with the famous number 9 on the back that I wear whenever watching the games online, so thank you to my good friend Scott. My dream is to one day attend a Crows game at Adelaide Oval with Scott and hopefully meet some of the other great members of the Crows forum group for a few beers on the hill. An amazing club with brilliant players and passionate, dedicated supporters.
Ben Taylor: I moved from the UK 4 years ago and went to check out a NAB cup game of Crows vs Power at Footy Park. After that I was hooked. I now have a family membership so go to every home game and travelling to the G to watch the Carlton game. My whole family love the experience and the crowd and we feel part of the Crows family. I now coach footy as well which raises a few eyebrows when they hear my accent but they soon understand my passion for the game. I hated soccer but love footy and my kids dream of playing for the Crows men and ladies AFL teams.
Elena Del Moral: I am from Mexico and arrived in Australia 9.5 years ago. At first I lived in a flat with two Aussie roommates. I had barely been here for two days, I was still jet lagged, when the mom of one of them (a diehard Crows supporter), came for a visit. She arrived with a huge box full of books and magazines and enthusiastically announced 'this is your new team, meet the good guys!' That was funny because I didn't know footy existed, I didn't even know how to go to the CBD yet, but apparently I already had a team in a sport I never heard about in my life. Mind you, it only took one Crows match to hook me in for life! Ricciuto, McLeod, the Birdman, Goodwin and the rest of the team showed me a thrilling game that I have embraced since then with many attendances at both ovals. It took me a while to fully understand what was going on but now I get it, yay! Go Crows, I want to see you win a Premiership flag!
Fiona O’Connor: I'm from Ireland and live in Adelaide for 4 years now! In 2013 I was taken to my first match, the showdown and I've been hooked ever since. My fiancée who's from Scotland and I have been members for 2 years and love the game, the community and the oval atmosphere!!
Daniel Ting: I moved from Malaysia to Melbourne when I was 15. I was never interested in watching sports. One lazy Saturday evening when I was 16, I decided to turn on the TV and find out what this 'overhyped' Aussie Rule thing is about. It was a Crows vs Collingwood match. Collingwood won by 4 points thanks to a Tarrant goal a few minutes before the end but not before I was mesmerised by the performance of the fab 4 (Roo, Goodwin, Edwards and of course Macleod). Hated the arrogance of the Pies and didn't like the look of their supporters. Followed the Crows ever since much to the disgust of my high school mates. Then, I moved to Adelaide and had to learn to hate Port but I still don't care about them. I'm now in Perth and still supporting the Crows. Looking forward to attending their next match in Domain stadium. Carn the Crows!
Eden Monotilla Webber: I came from Philippines married to Aussie. Nearly 20 years now. He helped me understand the rules in football. The Crows won back to back Premiership in 1997 and 1998. Until now I'm enjoying the game that much even watch at home or sometimes going to the game. Adelaide Crows!! Go, go, go
Lynda Jones: I was born in the UK and emigrated to Adelaide in 1970. When the grandsons started playing footy at primary school, had to go and watch. Didn't know anything about Aussie Rules so their Mum tried to explain the game to me. She then suggested we all go to see the Crows at Footy Park and that there was this gorgeous dishy player called Tony Modra. The rest is history and eventually we managed to get season tickets and I have been an avid supporter ever since. As it turned out my son went to the same primary school as Mods and even played in a 5-aside indoor soccer team with him. If anybody had told me when I first arrived here that years later I would be going to every home game of a team playing "that silly aerial ping pong" as I used to call it, I would have laughed my head off. Love the game and love the Crows!
Leslie Whicker: The wife and I came to Adelaide 39 years ago. I was born and raised in Texas, USA. The lady who agreed to share my life is from the UK. I first started to barrack for Sturt in the SANFL and South Melbourne in the VFL. When South Melbourne became the Sydney Swans, I soon became a Swans supporter because they weren't a Victorian team. When the Crows were born, it was only natural that my allegiance shifted to the Team for all South Australians. I've been a season ticket holder ever since.
Yuki Andrew Hendrick: I am from Indonesia, currently studying here in Adelaide. I lived in a homestay and at one particular time, somebody in the house is watching an AFL game and at first for me, the game looks so brutal. Thankfully, my host daughter introduced me the rules and after understanding how the game works, it turned out to be a really enjoyable game. Since she is a Crows fan, she also introduces the team and from there onwards I am a supporter of Adelaide Crows!
Margaret Davis: I arrived in Adelaide from Glasgow 50 years ago with 4 little boys and although my husband played soccer our boys loved footy. We followed South Adelaide and a soft spot for Glenelg. When the Crows went into the AFL in 1991 we became members and although my husband has passed I still love the Crows. I don’t attend the games now but make sure the TV on for every game. Over the years the boys have given me so much pleasure so thank you to all past and present players.
Ann-Marie O’Brien: I'm an American, originally from Detroit, Michigan. My husband is from South Australia we live in Melbourne. He loves the Crows and now so do I. We brought my Dad to a Crows game at the MCG and he really liked it. He especially liked the Crows team song, which is based on the US Marine Hymn, he was a Marine. So the Crows are his team too.
Diana Constable: I was born here in Adelaide but my dad and his family moved from Italy to here in the early 60's. He wanted to fit in to society and realised what better way to do that than to learn and follow footy. He has been devoted and fanatical Norwood and Melbourne supporter from the minute he started watching footy. Eventually Introducing my sister, brother and myself to the fantastic game of football. Dad and I have been Crows fans since the day they played their first match.
Pat Hagan: I'm from the United States, started watching footy in 1982. Happened to see it on ESPN one early morning up with my newborn at 2am. Loved it immediately even though I didn't know any of the rules! My husband and I have been hooked ever since. We thought the goal judges in the white coats were awesome and got a kick out of how they signalled a goal, lol! American football is like watching paint dry compared to footy!! An amazing sport with wonderful tradition and family values. It is how all sports should be! I love that the teams sing their song after a win, it really endeared me to AFL and I think it is fabulous!! A Facebook friend from Adelaide turned me on to the Crows in 2012 (I didn't have a set team to follow then) when I asked him who his team was. We did everything we could to see games, mostly YouTube until we got our annual subscription. Since then I have not missed a Crows game and always watch it live on the AFL channel no matter what day or time it is on. I've missed a lot of sleep but it is worth it!! I will probably never get to see a game in person (bucket list) but I am a diehard fan and I love my Crows!! Rory Sloane is my favourite player but I love all the boys! Footy is the best sport on the planet and I have gotten a few people into the game too. Go You Mighty Crows!!!
Sunday’s game against Carlton at the MCG is part of AFL Multicultural Round.
