Home is Football: Belonging in Australian Soccer exhibition co-creators Melbourne Victory were represented at the Football and Belonging panel discussion.
The Club’s Director of Football, John Didulica, and General Manager Community, Simon Rodder, were amongst more than 100 attendees in the Long Room of the Immigration Museum in Melbourne.
Hosted on Saturday, July 11, the weekend of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Quarter-Finals, in a celebration of the stories, voices and communities that make football more than just sport, current football players and community advocates explored how the game is shaping connections across Australia, creating spaces of inclusion and strengthening ties between diverse communities.
The panel comprised:
- Deputy CEO Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Jana Favero
- Media personality, human rights advocate and former Socceroo, Craig Foster AM
- Sports executive and former Matilda, Kate Gill
- Human rights advocate and Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team player, Mursal Sadat
- Founder of Football Empowerment, Tom Yabio
Through personal stories and lived experiences, they shared how football supports diverse communities and offers a sense of belonging and identity. From refugee camps to connecting with strangers, the common theme was how football helps people develop a sense of belonging.
Victory Members, who subscribe to Victory News, have previously been emailed a two-for-one Immigration Museum ticket voucher, valid Saturday, June 13 2026, until Tuesday, January 26 2027. 13 2026.
Home is Football has been produced with support from Melbourne Victory Football Club and Professional Footballers Australia.
