MELBOURNE.- From ragtag games in local parks to sponsor-clad players in packed-out stadiums, football has built communities and changed lives in ways that go far beyond the final score.

As world cup fever hits, a new exhibition at Immigration Museum looks beyond the pitch and into the heart of some of Australia's soccer communities.



Home is Football: Belonging in Australian Soccer explores the ways in which the much-loved universal sport is a source of community for Australians from a broad range of groups and identities. Here, visitors will find inspirational stories that mean so much more than who wins and who loses.

Reflecting on its themes, Museums Victoria CEO & Director, Lynley Crosswell said community was at the forefront of this exhibition. ‘These stories offer profound insights into the power of sport to create a sense of belonging and connection. Football has become a home and safe space for so many waves of immigrants moving to Australia, and this exhibition is a natural fit with the Immigration Museum’s stories of connection and community.’

The exhibition features incredible and inspirational experiences from players around Australia. Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, South Sudanese player, Thomas Deng, recounts his path from youth football clubs through to Melbourne Victory, Socceroos, and signing with five-time Japanese champions Yokohama F. Marinos.

Charlotte Doherty, who plays with Australian Women’s Blind Football Team the Bilbies, explains the logistics and delight of playing blind football, while Melbourne Rovers’ Stuart Bonner discusses the importance of inclusion and a safe space for players of the LGBTQIA+ community club.

Bahraini refugee and player, Hakeem al-Araibi, describes how he was detained and almost deported back to Bahrain while on honeymoon in Thailand before the football community rallied around to bring him home to Melbourne. Lydia Williams, who played for Melbourne Victory before going on to make history with the Matildas, chronicles her journey from growing up in the desert to becoming the first Indigenous and longest-serving goalkeeper to play for the national team.

Afghan Women's National Team player, Bahara Kohistani, reveals how she found safe asylum in Australia alongside other members of the team who have regrouped here with support from the Australian Government and Melbourne Victory. After persistent advocacy and lobbying, the team were recently reinstated to play on the global stage and will be competing in this year's world cup qualifying tournaments.

For as long as the game has been played, football has brought people together. Home is Football curates a collection of stories behind the players which ground us in the humanity of one of the most popular sports on earth.

Home is Football has been produced with support from Melbourne Victory Football Club and Professional Footballers Australia.

Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica, said ‘Melbourne Victory is especially proud to have played a significant role in the curation of the Home is Football at the Immigration Museum here in Melbourne.’

‘On a global scale, little if anything else achieves the positive and uplifting connection of people and the creation of authentic community than the world's game. The exhibition explores this theme and celebrates how the fusion of people and experiences establishes an unrivalled feeling of belonging.’