The Essendon Football Club’s relationship with the Indian community has taken another positive step forward as the club supports its local community to get behind Indian female tennis hopeful Sania Mirza.

A popular and glamorous player, Mirza has a national following in India and Australia’s local Indian-born population are tracking her doubles action at this year’s KIA Australian Open.

Essendon Community Manager Cameron Britt said “We at Essendon are naturally supporting the progress of home-grown stars such as Tomic, Stosur and Barty, however we also understand the changing face of our local community and are thrilled to be able to provide opportunities for multicultural engagement, even by non traditional means”.

The club will undertake a range of activities across 2013 to support and engage Melbourne’s vibrant Indian community, including participation in Holi Festival celebrations in March.