Bachar Houli OAM is a former Australian Rules Footballer, community leader and founder of the Bachar Houli Foundation.
Famously known as the first devout Muslim to play AFL at the highest level, Bachar has become one of Australia’s most prominent Muslim public figures and a respected role model for young people across the country.
His journey from captaining the Victorian Metropolitan Under 16 squad to becoming a three-time AFL Premiership player, All-Australian and community leader has been shaped by his faith, family and commitment to inspiring the next generation.
From not being allowed to play football when I was younger, and feeling like an outcast, opportunities for our community have come a long way.
After representing Victoria at Under 16 and Under 18 level, Bachar was selected with pick 42 in the 2006 AFL National Draft before making his AFL debut the following year and earning an AFL Rising Star nomination in 2008.
Following four seasons at Essendon, Bachar joined Richmond in 2010 and went on to establish himself as one of the competition’s leading half-backs during a decorated 15-year AFL career spanning 232 games.
Bachar played an integral role in Richmond’s historic period of success, becoming a three-time AFL Premiership player in 2017, 2019 and 2020 and finishing runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal voting in two Grand Finals. His performances were also recognised with All-Australian selection in 2019, the Yiooken Award as best on ground in Dreamtime at the ‘G that same year, and selection to represent Victoria in the 2020 State of Origin Bushfire Relief Match.
Bachar retired from the AFL in 2021, leaving a legacy that extended well beyond his achievements on the field. As one of the game’s most prominent Muslim players, his career helped break new ground for Muslim participation and representation within Australian Rules football.
Alongside his football career, Bachar developed an enduring commitment to creating opportunities for young Muslims through sport, education and community engagement.
In 2012, he was recognised as the inaugural recipient of the Muslim and Non-Muslim Understanding Award, presented by the Australia Day Council. The following year, the Bachar Houli Foundation was established with the support of the Richmond Football Club, beginning with the first Islamic football academy.
What began through football has since grown into a broader commitment to creating opportunities for young people and strengthening connections between the Islamic community and wider Australian society.
Bachar’s contribution has been recognised nationally and internationally, including the Beyond Sport Award for the Bachar Houli Islamic Programs and the AFL’s Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in 2020. In 2021, he was also presented with the Anti-Defamation Commission’s Torch of Justice Award.
His commitment to creating opportunities beyond the sporting field continued with the establishment of the Islamic College of Sport in 2023, the first Islamic sports college of its kind in Australia.
In 2024, Bachar’s service to the Islamic community through sport and youth programs was formally recognised when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Victorian Metropolitan Squad
Victorian Metropolitan Squad
2006 AFL National Draft
2006
v North Melbourne, Round 7
2007
2008 AFL Season
2008
2010 Pre-Season Draft
2010
The First Islamic Football Academy
2013
2017 Premiership Player Runner Up Norm Smith Medallist
2017
2019 All-Australian Awards, as a half-back
2019
2019 Dreamtime At The G' Best on Ground
2019
Round 11 v North Melbourne
2019
2019 Premiership Player Runner-up Norm Smith Medallist
2019
2020 Premiership Player
2020
2020 State of Origin Bushfire Relief Match
2020
2020 Brownlow Medal Presentation
2020
232 games, 3 premierships
2021
2021
The first Islamic sports college in Australia
2023
2024
