The AFL names a new program after Alex Jesaulenko which is designed to allow community coaches from diverse backgrounds to work part-time as a volunteer in an AFL club's coaching program for a period of 12 weeks during 2017.

The Alex Jesaulenko Coaching Internship is intended to focus on coaches with Northern African or Asian heritage.

"I want to thank our clubs, our coaches and the AFL Coaches Association in advance for providing this opportunity and we thank Alex for lending his name to the program," AFL football operations manager Simon Lethlean said.

"It's vitally important we continue to encourage people from diverse communities to become involved in all levels of the game and this coaching internship does exactly that."

Staff writers for AFL.com.au