Bachar houli biography of martin
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His family originated from Lebanon, where his parents had lived prior to emigrating amid the onset of the Lebanese Civil War in the mid-1970s.[11] Seeking stability and economic opportunities, they migrated to Australia during this period of conflict, which spanned from 1975 to 1990 and involved sectarian violence that displaced many Lebanese families.[12]Houli's parents settled in the western suburbs of Melbourne, initially in areas such as Altona North, where they focused on establishing a new life through dedicated work while raising their children in a devout Muslim household.[11] This migration aligned with broader waves of Lebanese immigration to Australia in the 1970s, driven by the civil war's disruptions, with many arriving via family sponsorship or humanitarian pathways and contributing to growing Arab-Australian communities in urban centers like Melbourne.[13] The family's adherence to Islamic practices, including daily prayers and observance of Ramadan, shaped Houli's upbringing, reflecting the preservation of cultural and religious identity among Lebanese diaspora families post-migration.[3]Later, the family relocated within Melbourne's western growth corridor to suburbs like Tarneit, part of the expanding immigrant enclaves that supported community networks for Lebanese Australians.[14] Houli's parents prioritized family stability over sports initially, with his mother initially discouraging his football pursuits due to cultural unfamiliarity with the sport, though they ultimately supported his development within Australia's multicultural framework.
Junior Football Development
Bachar Houli began playing junior football with Spotswood Football Club in Melbourne's western suburbs, joining the under-12 team in 2000.[16][17] His performances at Spotswood in the Western Region Football League drew attention from talent scouts, leading to recruitment by the Western Jets under-18 team in the TAC Cup competition.[18][3]Houli featured prominently for the Western Jets from around 2005, contributing to the team's development program ahead of the AFLdraft.[19][20] This exposure culminated in his selection by Essendon with pick 42 in the 2006 NAB AFLNational Draft, marking the transition from junior ranks to professional football.[5]AFL Playing Career
Essendon Period (2007–2010)
Bachar Houli was recruited by Essendon with the 42nd selection in the 2006 AFL National Draft.[21] He made his senior debut in Round 7 of the 2007 season on May 11, marking him as the first practising Muslim player in the AFL.[22][23] During his debut year, Houli featured in a limited number of matches as he adjusted to senior level demands.In 2008, Houli played 10 games, averaging 19 disposals per match while developing as a midfielder.[24] Injuries hampered his progress in 2009, restricting his appearances after an initial return in Essendon's opening round.[24] By 2010, under coach Matthew Knights, Houli struggled for consistent selection, playing sparingly amid competition for positions in the backline and midfield.[25]Houli's tenure at Essendon concluded after 26 senior games and 9 goals across four seasons.[5] On October 7, 2010, he formally requested a trade, with his management attributing the decision to insufficient game-time opportunities that year.[25] Essendon was unable to match Richmond's contract offer, leading to his delisting and subsequent pre-season draft move to the Tigers.[26] Former Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd attributed Houli's dissatisfaction partly to Knights' handling of the player.[27]Richmond Period (2011–2021)
Bachar Houli transferred to Richmond via the 2011 pre-season draft after requesting a trade from Essendon at the end of the 2010 season, where limited opportunities had restricted him to 26 senior games over four years.[25][28] Unable to secure a trade deal, Essendon delisted him, allowing Richmond to select Houli as a free agent in the draft without compensation for the Bombers.[29] At Richmond, Houli quickly established himself as a reliable half-back flanker, playing 206 games and contributing to the club's defensive structure during a period of sustained success.[5]Houli played pivotal roles in Richmond's three consecutive AFL premierships in 2017, 2019, and 2020, appearing in all three Grand Finals.[30] In the 2017 Grand Final victory over Adelaide, he recorded 22 disposals and was among the standout performers, earning high votes in the Norm Smith Medal count behind Dustin Martin.[3] His 2019 season earned him All-Australian selection, recognizing his intercept marking and rebounding ability, before another strong Grand Final showing in the win over Greater Western Sydney.[5] The 2020 premiership, secured in a shortened COVID-19 affected season, capped a three-peat that solidified Richmond's dynasty under coach Damien Hardwick.[31]Houli announced his retirement on August 18, 2021, declaring 2021 his final season after 232 career games, including a farewell match against Hawthorn in round 23.[32][33] He cited a desire to prioritize family and community commitments, while affirming his lifelong allegiance to the Tigers.[30] Over his Richmond tenure, Houli's consistency and leadership were instrumental in transforming the club's fortunes from perennial finalists to multiple champions.[4]Playing Style and On-Field Contributions
Strengths and Tactical Role
Bachar Houli primarily operated as a rebounding defender during his tenure with the Richmond Tigers, excelling in transitioning defensive possessions into attacking opportunities through precise ball movement from the backline.[34] His role involved intercepting opposition forwards, accumulating disposals under pressure, and launching counter-attacks with long, penetrating kicks that exploited space upfield.[35]Houli's key strengths included elite kicking accuracy and composure, enabling him to deliver "pure" and effective long-range kicks that drove metres gained for his team.[36] In 2019, he ranked first in the AFL for bounces per game and fifth for metres gained, reflecting his ability to rebound effectively from defence.[37] He also demonstrated strong intercepting skills, with notable performances including nine intercepts in a single game during his Richmond career.[38] These attributes contributed to high disposal averages, such as a career-high 38 disposals in a June 2019 match against North Melbourne.[37]Defensively, Houli was reliable in one-on-one contests and kick-ins, often initiating play from the goalsquare with accurate distribution to half-back flanks.[39] His balanced athleticism and decision-making under fatigue allowed sustained performance, as evidenced by consistent averages exceeding 20 disposals in multiple seasons post-2013.[40] While early critiques noted inconsistencies in contested situations, his later career emphasized evasion, vision, and rebounding prowess over physical dominance.[27]Performance During Religious Observances
Houli, a practicing Muslim, observes the fast of Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink, and other physical indulgences from dawn until sunset each day of the holy month, a period that has frequently overlapped with the AFL playing season.Bachar enjoyed a very successful Junior career at Spotswood and later at the Western Jets in the TAC Cup.
He joined his brothers in AFL football at the age of 11 but hid his participation from his parents who wanted him to concentrate on his schooling.
Essendon.
PRE RICHMOND
Spotswood ( Two under age League Best & Fairest ) , Western Jets (
U/16 Vic Metro Captain, U/18 Vic Metro team in 2016 ) , Essendon
2007-2010 Games 26 Goals 9.
Bachar Houli has a height of 1.81m.
Bachar Houli Parents
Who are the parents of Bachar Houli? Over the course of his 15 seasons in the AFL, he participated in 232 games and won various honors and awards.
Three premiership titles were won by Houli while he was a member of Richmond in 2017; 2019; and 2020.
POST RICHMOND
Bio written by Leon Daphne
Homepage
Bachar retired from AFL football at the end of the 2021 season.
After tense negotiations failed to reach a deal, Bachar was taken by Richmond with pick 3 overall in the 2011 AFL Pre-season Draft. Together, they have welcomed two daughters in 2014 and 2017 respectively and a son in 2020.
Bachar Houli Siblings
Bachar Houli has an older brother called Nezor Houli.
Bachar Houli Children
Does Bachar Houli have any children?
Yes, Bachar Houli has three children, two daughters and a son.
Bachar Houli Instagram
Bachar Houli Instagram has over 46k followers on the gram.
Richmond defender Bachar Houli retires a 'Tiger for life' with three AFL premierships in the bank
Richmond triple-premiership defender Bachar Houli has retired from the AFL after 232 games.
Key points:
- Bachar Houli was twice a runner up for the Norm Smith Medal, and was named All Australian in 2019
- He thanked Richmond for "allowing me to be me"
- Houli joins fellow triple-premiership defender David Astbury in announcing his retirement this week
Houli started his career at Essendon, where he played 26 games between 2007 and 2011 before joining the Tigers in the pre-season draft.
The dashing backman played 206 games and a key role in three flags for the Tigers, finishing runner-up to Dustin Martin for the Norm Smith Medal in both the 2017 and 2019 triumphs.
Houli, who fought through an early calf injury to play an important role in the 2020 grand final win, had previously said he'd hoped to play on next year, but called time on Thursday.
"I have been fortunate enough to play at two great clubs and to be a part of the history of this game," the 33-year-old said in a statement.
"Not only did I want to play as many games as possible but I wanted to educate Australia, about my faith [and] about the religion of Islam, the religion of peace.
Houli tied the knot with Rouba Abou-Zeid in September 2009, who was not only his partner but also a family friend. He was born in Melbourne, Australia on May 12, 1988.
Bachar Houli Height
How tall is Bachar Houli?
Bachar continued to be a star player for the Tigers senior team and played in Premierships in 2017 , 2019 and 2020. Stop funding Islam," which was condemned by both clubs and the AFL.[73] Separately, Houli was targeted with verbal abuse from a spectator, leading to the individual being ejected from the ground for Islamophobic sledges.[74] The AFL investigated the claims but stated the abuse directed at Houli lacked racial or religious overtones, despite Richmond confirming one of its players—identified as Houli—was affected.[75][76]Additional reports of abuse surfaced in September 2014 during a Port Adelaide game, where the club and police sought details on alleged racial vilification toward Houli.[77] By 2023, Houli contributed to AFL anti-discrimination videos recounting his experiences of persistent abuse, describing its lasting psychological effects compared to physical injuries.[78] These incidents highlight recurring patterns of Islamophobic and racial targeting tied to Houli's Lebanese-Muslim heritage, often amplified by post-9/11 stereotypes, though official responses varied in classifying the abuse's motivations.[79]
Post-Retirement Endeavors
Establishment and Impact of the Bachar Houli Foundation
The Bachar Houli Foundation was established in 2012 as a not-for-profit organization founded by former Australian Football League (AFL) player Bachar Houli to empower young Muslims through sports and leadership development.[80] The foundation utilizes sport, particularly Australian rules football, as a vehicle to engage participants, foster personal growth, and build community ties within the Muslim youth demographic.[81] Its core mission focuses on creating pathways for young leaders by addressing barriers such as limited access to elite sports training and promoting values like discipline and resilience.[80]Key programs include the National Senior Boys Academy, which convenes participants for intensive football camps during events like AFL Grand Final Week, and regional academies targeting high school-aged boys and girls from Islamic backgrounds for skill development and elite sports exposure.[82] The foundation delivers nine unique national programs annually, emphasizing football development, physical health, leadership, and identity formation through hands-on applied learning.[9] Partnerships with entities such as Richmond Football Club and the Islamic College of Sport have expanded access, including joint initiatives for sports career pathways and community events.[83][84]The foundation's impact is evidenced by its national reach, having engaged over 35,000 participants since inception, with programs producing tangible outcomes such as the 2024 AFLdraft selection of Saad El-Hawli, the first academy graduate to join an AFL list via Essendon.[10][85] These efforts have strengthened ties between Muslim youth and professional sports pathways, including contributions to VFL and AFL development squads.[83] Recognition includes the 2020 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award awarded to Houli, which provided $40,000 in funding, and the 2024 Cultural Inclusion Award for advancing diversity in Western Australian football.[9][86] Houli's foundational work also factored into his 2024 Medal of the Order of Australia for community service.[10]Broader Roles in Sports and Community Organizations
Bachar Houli served as an AFL Multicultural Ambassador beginning in 2012, focusing on developing programs to encourage Australian football participation among Muslim youth through initiatives in Islamic schools nationwide.[87] In this capacity, he regularly visited schools to mentor emerging players, emphasizing the sport's role in fostering integration and personal development for students from diverse backgrounds.[88]Houli's ambassadorial efforts extended to advocating for accommodations like designated prayer times during AFL matches, which he successfully negotiated with the league that year to support practicing Muslim players.[89] These activities positioned him as a bridge between the AFL and multicultural communities, promoting inclusivity while addressing barriers to entry for underrepresented groups.In 2020, the AFL recognized Houli's contributions with the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, honoring his work in community engagement, including partnerships with local agencies to support frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic through meal distribution and morale-boosting events.[9] This accolade underscored his influence in leveraging sports for social cohesion, as evidenced by his organization of interfaith and youth leadership events tied to AFL programs.Personal Beliefs and Life
Religious Faith and Integration Challenges
Bachar Houli, born in 1988 in Melbourne to Lebanese Muslim immigrant parents, has adhered strictly to orthodox Islamic practices throughout his life and AFL career, including the five daily prayers and abstaining from alcohol and gambling.[36] As the first practicing Muslim to reach AFL level, debuting with Essendon in 2006 after being selected at pick 42 in the 2005 draft, he balanced these commitments with the rigors of professional training and competition.[90][91]Fasting during Ramadan imposed significant physiological challenges, entailing no food or liquids for about 12 hours daily from dawn to sunset, often coinciding with preseason or mid-season demands.[46][47] Houli mitigated this by fasting two days weekly in preparation and adjusting sleep and hydration schedules, yet maintained performance, as evidenced by his contributions during holy months in 2011 and 2017.[92] He viewed the fast not as a hindrance but as a source of mental fortitude, stating it helped him "excel as a person" by fostering discipline amid elite athletic pressures.[46]As a trailblazer in a league historically dominated by Anglo-Celtic cultural norms, Houli confronted integration hurdles tied to his visible faith in a post-9/11 context of elevated scrutiny toward Muslims in Australia.[93] These included adapting prayer times to team schedules and countering stereotypes through on-field success, which he sustained without compromising beliefs over 16 seasons and three premierships with Richmond from 2011 to 2021.[36] Houli later reflected on understanding "the challenges young people of minority groups face" in sports pathways, prompting his advocacy to educate the AFL on accommodating Muslim athletes, thereby easing entry for successors like Adam Saad and Mabior Chol.[94][90] His model of faith-integrated professionalism demonstrated viable coexistence of Islamic observance and Australian sporting culture, though it required personal resilience against potential cultural clashes like team social events involving prohibited activities.[93]Family Life and Publications
Bachar Houli was born to Lebanese parents who immigrated to Australia in the 1970s, fleeing the civil war in their homeland, and settled in Melbourne's western suburbs, including Altona North and later Tarneit.[11][95] His family emphasized education and hard work, with his parents prioritizing stability over sports initially; Houli has noted they did not permit him to play Australian rules football during his youth due to concerns over its physical demands.[96] He has an older brother, Nezor, who pursued higher education abroad.[95]Houli married Rouba Abou-Zeid, a family friend, and the couple has three children: two daughters born in 2014 and 2017, named Sarah and Maryam, and a son, Mohamed, born in July 2020.[36][97][96] In 2020, Houli opted to remain in Melbourne during the AFL season's COVID-19 disruptions to support his wife through the birth of their son, missing several games as a result.[5] His family life has been marked by balancing professional commitments with paternal responsibilities, including public appeals during the pandemic for community health measures after his mother required intensive care for COVID-19.[98]Houli's publications include his 2020 autobiography, Faith, Football and Family, co-authored with Waleed Aly and published by Penguin Random House, which details his personal journey, faith, and career challenges as a Muslim athlete in the AFL.[99] The book draws on his experiences to advocate for inclusion and resilience, reflecting first-hand accounts of balancing cultural identity with professional success.[100] In 2022, he released the children's book My Baba is the Best, aimed at celebrating father-daughter bonds and encouraging quality time between parents and children, launched in conjunction with Father's Day.[101] These works underscore Houli's post-retirement focus on family-oriented messaging and community inspiration.[101]Bachar Houli
Full Name: BACHAR HOULI
Date of Birth: 12/05/1988
Height: 180 cm ( 5-11 )
Weight: 85 kg ( 13-6 )
Guernsey: 14
Debut: 24/03/2011, Round 1, Carlton
Last Game: 01/07/2021 Round 16, Gold Coast
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 2011-21
Total Games: 206
Total Goals: 34
Honours:
2020 Premiership player
2019 Premiership player
2017 Premiership player
2017 AFLCA Grand Final Best player (voted on by both Grand Final coaches)
BIOGRAPHY
Bachar Houli was born in Australia to Lebanese parents , he was raised as a devout Muslim ( praying 5 times a day and fasting for the holy month of Ramadan) .
In March 2013 Richmond senior coach Damien Hardwick said ‘ as a
half-back flanker , he ( Bachar ) is elite at what he does .
Bachar became a regular player with the Tigers senior team. He was recognized as an All-Australian half-back in 2019 for his role in helping his squad win the championship.
In addition, for his services to the larger community, he was given the coveted Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in 2020.
Houli has been a vocal supporter of building greater intercultural understanding and supporting diversity within Australian society outside of football.
He has led a number of programs that try to reduce barriers between various communities, such as the Bachar Houli Cup, an Australian youth football tournament that attracts students from both Muslim and non-Muslim backgrounds.
Houli announced his retirement from professional football in 2021, capping an incredible career that saw him achieve great success on the pitch and make a significant effect off it.
He will be regarded as one of the all-time great half-back flankers, as well as a true leader in the fields of social harmony and cultural inclusiveness in Australian society.
Bachar Houli Age
How old is Bachar Houli?
He won the U/12 Best and Fairest award , with his parents finding out and taking some time to begin what became a life time of encouragement for Bachar ‘s football. While playing football , Bachar continued to observe the practices of his Muslin faith and describes in his book “ Faith Football and Family” how he was able to receive the support of his teammates .
This fasting regimen, lasting approximately 12 to 14 hours daily depending on seasonal daylight variations, imposes challenges such as delayed post-training recovery and reduced caloric intake, yet Houli has consistently delivered strong on-field outputs during these times. He has won three championships with Richmond, and during the 2019 championship season, he was also awarded an All-Australian half-back.
Many individuals have been researching Bachar Houli on the internet and asking a lot of questions about him.
Everything there is to know about Bachar Houli is covered in this page.
The life story of Bachar Houli
An accomplished player in the Australian Football League (AFL), Bachar Houli played Australian rules football for Richmond and Essendon.
Houli, who was born on May 12th, 1988, in Melbourne, Australia, was raised by Lebanese Muslims and showed an early passion for football.
His outstanding athletic prowess quickly caught the attention of the Essendon Football Club, where he began his AFL career in 2007.
Houli spent his final two seasons of his career with the Richmond Football Club after playing for Essendon for two seasons.
He developed a reputation as a superb half-back flanker over time, known for his deft ball handling and accurate kicking.
He was born to Lebanese parents.
Bachar Houli Wife
Is Bachar Houli married? In 2020 Bachar injured a calf early in the game and while in some pain he supported the Coach’s request to play on to assist the rotations of the team.