Football for all – New exhibition at Immigration Museum embraces football fever
Stories of belonging speak to the power of sport in communities.
‘Football has this ability to unite and create something more than just a spectacle as a sport.’ - Ange Postecoglou
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 opening at Immigration Museum on Saturday June 13, will look 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.’
Programming information:
Home is Football: Gallery Talks Saturday 13 June & Sunday 14 June
Included with museum entry
To kick off the opening weekend of Home is Football, Dr Moya McFadzean and Amber Evangelista will take audiences behind the scenes of the exhibition, sharing stories of its making and uncovering themes of belonging within Australia’s football communities.
Football & Belonging: Panel Discussion Saturday 11 July, 2pm to 3pm
Immigration Museum Long Room, 400 Flinders Street Melbourne
Celebrate the stories, voices and communities that make the game more than just sport. Joined by Craig Foster AM, former Socceroo, author and human rights activist, former and current players and community advocates will share personal stories and lived experiences exploring how football shapes connections across Australia, fosters inclusion, and offers a sense of belonging and identity to diverse communities. Stay tuned for the full speaker line-up.
Home is Football
Open: Saturday 13 June 2026
Location: Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St Melbourne on sale at Immigration Museum and online - Adults $15, Senior $12, Concession free, Children 16 years and under free, Member free.
Interviews available with:
- Dr Moya McFadzean, Senior Curator, Migration & Cultural Diversity, Museums Victoria
