HAWTHORN duo Paul Puopolo and Shem Tatupu will again be AFL Multicultural Player Ambassadors in 2016.

The Multicultural Program will expand to 18 player ambassadors this year and for the first time will include two female players.

The ambassadors were announced on Thursday.

Puopolo and Tatupu were both ambassadors last year, and will be joined the likes of female footballers Sabrina Frederick-Traub and Darcy Vescio, Brisbane Lions Vice Captain Dayne Zorko, Geelong’s Tom Hawkins, Fremantle’s Tendai Mzundu, Gold Coast SUNS players Adam Saad and Tom Nicholls, Sydney Swan Aliir Aliir and Western Bulldogs player Jason Johannisen in 2016.

Triple premiership Hawk Puopolo, of Italian descent, and New Zealander Tatupu will assist in the management of the AFL Multicultural talent camps and National All Nations Cup, as well as attend key multicultural events throughout the year.

In 2016, multicultural players make up 15 per cent of the AFL player lists across the 18 AFL Clubs.

The 2016 ambassadors will begin their duties during the Australia Post AFL Community Camps next month where they will meet fans during school visits, community receptions and super clinics in both regional and metropolitan centres.