Croats were first noticeable in Australia during the gold rushes of the 1850s in Victoria. At this time, Croats were coded as “Austrians” because most of Croatia was a part of the Habsburg Empire. Since the independence of Croatia in the 1990s, an official embassy has been opened in Canberra and consulates have been opened in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
Resident Australian population born in Croatia (2016 census) – 43,688
Australian residents of Croatian descent (2016 census) – 133,264
TEAM CROATIA
Have you ever wanted to pull on your national jumper and represent your country?
Playing Footy 9s gives you an opportunity to do just that! It’s a fun and exciting new sport, with both full contact (tackling) and non-contact (no tackling) options to choose from.
If you are of Croatian descent and keen to represent Croatia, please join the Team Croatia Facebook group.
AFL PLAYERS
Alan Didak | Ray Gabelich | Darren Gaspar | Ilija Grgic | Nathan Hrovat | Allen Jakovich | Glen Jakovich | Addam Maric | Ivan Maric | Val Perovic | Steven Salopek | Peter Sumich | Jacob Surjan | Jon Dorotich | Matthew Pavlich | Craig Starcevich
