Salatiga, a small city in the hinterland of Central Java, is probably the last place you would expect to find Aussie Rules football, but here it was last week: some 50 women kicking, marking, handballing.

It was all thanks to Ana Surjanto, an alumna of Monash University who had returned to Indonesia after being introduced to the sport in Melbourne through the Krakatoas Football Club, a small group of dedicated Indonesians and Australians that is trying to get Indonesians studying in Melbourne to engage more with locals and learn a little bit more about the culture.
Since returning home to Salatiga, Ana has attended a football coaching accreditation program run by AFL Asia in Jakarta and jumped at the chance to use her newfound skills to teach others at the State Islamic Studies Institute (IAIN) about this unique Australian sport.

While it started on a light note, with some of the women laughing about the odd shape of the ball, it was soon down to business with two large groups being drilled in handpasses and marking the ball.

“Our first footy training on Saturday was so much fun; everyone looked like they really enjoyed playing footy,” said Ana, who studied education at Monash with the help of a scholarship from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).

Ana said she wanted to hold this coaching clinic for the young women who lived on campus at the university simply to get them outdoors and active.

“Since they live independently here, so far away from their parents and families, I thought having an activity such as footy could be beneficial for them,” she said. “Also, playing sport is a good way to make friends and learn new things.”

Ana’s teammates at the Krakatoas in Melbourne have continued to support her efforts, congratulating her on becoming the first woman to become an officially accredited local Aussie Rules football coach in Asia.

“It's great to see how Ana developed as a player here in Melbourne - not knowing anything about the sport when she started to taking big marks and kicking goals by the end of her stay here,” said Iain Shearer, the club's president.

“And now she's back in Indonesia she's continuing to fly the flag for footy by teaching other Indonesians about the game. It's fantastic.”

In the future Ana hopes to build the coaching program and develop the participants’ skills further, giving the students not only an opportunity to be active and healthy, but also practise their English and communication skills.

“Further, footy can be a good way to develop women’s self-esteem in that they can do sport, and to build their confidence by trying new outdoor activities,” she added.

“As an alumna of an Australian university, Monash Uni, I want to relate what I've experienced in Australia.

“Footy can be a good way to develop their understanding of Australian culture as they have a dream to study abroad one day like me.”