A review of Football Belongs – Australia’s football history

Football Belongs is an exploration into the passion of the people who make up the World Game within Australia. Featuring interviews with football aficionados, players and coaches, the documentary is an excellent reminder of how the immigrant communities have contributed to the success and survival of football in Australia, but also to the national identity as well.

The strength of the documentary lays in its vast catalogue of interviews. Countless legends of the game describe how football clubs and the communities that underpin them have contributed to their lives. The insight from these interviews – over 150 in total – reveal how these football clubs became bastions of their respective ethnic communities. “It’s not about football, it’s about getting people together” is the quote that most perfectly encapsulates the heart of this film.

One of the greatest successes of Football Belongs is its authenticity. Anybody who has spent time around a football club in Australia, particularly any ethnic club, will feel instant nostalgia. The culture these clubs create, the memories they form, and the players they develop can’t be ignored. Nobody ever forgets the feasts these football clubs put on after (and during) a game.

Rarely will you see a production on Australian football that has so much respect for the rich achievements of Australian football pre-2006 World Cup. From coaches and players from Australia’s first-ever World Cup in 1974 to mainstays from clubs that haven’t been on the national stage since the National Soccer League, the documentary shows reverence to an often-overlooked history.

A common sentiment from the countless people interviewed is that their lives would not have been as rich, or their careers as successful, without the clubs that form the Australian football community. Socceroos coach Graham Arnold talks about the impact that Sydney United, and its Croatian community, had on him after the loss of his mother. Mark Bresciano, John Aloisi, and Sasa Ognenovski – great servants to the game in Australia – discuss their upbringing in the game and the careers that followed. Others describe how football allowed them to experience different cultures and experiences, for their betterment.

While watching Football Belongs, it was an ecstatic surprise to see a young Jackson Irvine scoring goals for Ringwood City, wearing the same kit that I played in as a 13-year-old boy. Seeing a club I spent so many hours of my formative years at, having played there from under 14s through to the senior team, in such an important time of Australian football history was a beautiful moment.

One of its most impactful moments comes in the finale, when Indigenous footballer and artist John Moriarty is interviewed. He describes how he was accepted through football in a point in history where he had no rights in his own country, after experiencing the direct impacts of being a part of the Stolen Generation. The filmmakers have gone to great lengths to highlight the multiculturalism that sustains the world game in Australia.

This review barely covers the countless number of interviews within Football Belongs. The team behind it has delved deep into footballing history while highlighting the roots that were formed in the past that remain today. Football Belongs is a love letter to the multiculturalism that has helped not just the world game, but Australia as a whole. It is without doubt essential viewing for those who love football, and it is truly a part of Australian footballing history.

Football Belongs can be viewed on Optus Sport. You can also read more about the making of the documentary here.

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Fundraising ideas for grassroots clubs

Youth football

The Australian Sports Fundraising Foundation (ASF) has been consistently supporting initiatives and ways for clubs to elevate their fundraising capabilities to gain the best results in engagement and economic support.

Recently, the ASF has introduced 21 ways in which clubs and sporting groups can adapt their fundraising to achieve their goals.

The nature of grassroots sports (especially football) means that funding has been required for clubs in getting and maintaining the necessary equipment and basic amenities.

Fundraisers are also times when the club can solidify its connections with their participants and maintain the positive culture that is crucial to the survival of these clubs.

According to the ASF, clubs typically raise an average of $13,250 through this platform.

The ASF’s Fundraising Platform is also a key tool clubs use to streamline their fundraising efforts and is the only way to accept tax-deductible sports donations in Australia.

Below is a shortened list of fundraisers which can be better utilised in a football environment:

Trivia Nights or Talent Shows are great fundraisers for afternoon/night slots at the club. You can set up team registrations and place it after training to increase player attendance.

Consider offering prizes and venues from local businesses to boost participation and engagement with the local community.

Another option is a Club Cinema Night, choosing films through social media polls to increase engagement with club members. Its adaptability means it could be hosted indoors during winter or create an outdoor cinema experience in nicer weather.

These events can be enhanced through extra fundraising ideas such as catering with themed food fundraising like Wine Tasting or BBQs.

Consider potluck options and involve local food suppliers.

Or if you have a good club venue with a liquor licence, running a bar can provide additional revenue and keep the costs down.

Having day-based activities is also a good way to get people back at the club and supporting the community.

Sports Days where clubs host traditional sports day activities like egg-and-spoon races and tug-of-war competitions are great engaging activities for all age groups.

 Coaches’ Games also allow coaches and staff to engage in the sport they love. Including parent teams can also add entertainment, and the ASF expresses its popularity with younger club members.

Offering club merchandise as prizes is also a great reward.

Car Boot Sales, Merch Shop and Swap or even Auctions can be exciting events that allow people to give back to the club through supporting other club members and the local community.

People or even the club can sell spare items, club merchandise or even retro kits for added benefit.

Clubs should use rare items for the auctions or prizes and accept donations and sponsorship from local businesses.

Clubs can charge sellers a hosting fee and collect entry donations from browsers for the event.

Going beyond the club environment and engaging with local sponsors, councils or businesses is also a viable option.

Holiday celebrations are perfect times to add in fundraising opportunities. For example, an Easter Egg Hunt or Christmas-themed Event on the club grounds.

 A Fun Run or Community Chore-a-thon is a great way to get local councils involved and encourage healthy social activities. Keep entry fees affordable to encourage participation and accept donations.

Barefoot Bowls and other sporting venues are cornerstones of communities and a good place to partner for a relaxed social event.

Include entry for fundraising and allow the venue to cater. These are great ways to engage the local venues with the club and increase social togetherness.

These events could even be placed in a themed Club Calendar featuring coaches, players, or sponsors. Include important club dates and upcoming events to encourage participation.

It’s important to point out that these activities will take time and effort. Juggling everyday life and club events is a difficult and time-consuming process and proper organisation from the clubs is key.

While these initiatives and options are great ways for clubs to participate in fundraising, it should not take away from a growing issue within the grassroots scene.

Government programs through grant systems, both federal and state-run, should still be central programs to provide clubs and footballing federations the support they need for larger projects and developments.

Football’s rising popularity has presented clubs with very difficult situations where the demand is too high for the capabilities of the clubs.

The price to play football these days is a large sum. For many participants in grassroots and even NPL levels, paying over $400 to register to play is a struggle, let alone encouraging these people to also participate in fundraising.

Therefore, creating enjoyable and engrossing events is key to getting engagement and achieving positive funding.

With this, the value for local businesses to host or sponsor these events is a fantastic publicity option.

As life presents tough challenges for all, these gatherings can deliver the hope and togetherness necessary to savour positive outlooks, unite local communities and harness the larger Australian sporting culture.

To check out more from the Australian Sports Foundation read here.

Optus Sport teams up with beIN SPORTS for live venue streaming

Optus Sport has announced an exciting partnership with beIN SPORTS, enabling commercial venues across Australia to stream premium live sports content from February 2025.

This collaboration allows pubs, clubs, and other venues to access beIN SPORTS’ top-tier coverage through Optus Sport Business’s streaming platform.

The deal significantly enhances Optus Sport’s content offerings, adding major leagues and tournaments such as LALIGA, Serie A, the Carabao Cup, the English Football League, and ATP & WTA Tennis.

With three dedicated beIN SPORTS channels integrated into the Optus Sport Business platform, fans can enjoy seamless access to world-class sporting action in public venues.

Building on the success of UEFA EURO 2024™ and its ongoing coverage of the Premier League, Optus Sport expects this collaboration to elevate the viewing experience, attract more visitors to venues, and create an unmatched atmosphere for sports fans across Australia.

Scott Davoren, Associate Director of Optus Sport Business spoke on the importance of delivering the Optus Sport experience across many venues.

“We are dedicated to helping commercial venues deliver world-class sports experiences, and partnering with beIN SPORTS is a huge step forward in achieving that goal,” Davoren mentioned in a press release.

“Football has been the essence of Optus Sport since 2016, and now, with beIN SPORTS as a venue partner in Australia, we’re privileged to bring an even wider array of live sport to our Optus Sport Business customers.”

John Armitage, Director, Distribution & Country Manager, Australia & New Zealand beIN SPORTS shared the same excited sentiment about the interesting deal.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Optus Sport to bring our premium sports content to commercial venues across Australia,” Armitage said in a press release.

“We understand that the fragmentation of sports rights in this market can be challenging for venues. Through this partnership, we are providing a streamlined, centralised solution-that makes it easier for venues to offer more live sport to their patrons.

“By prioritising the fan experience, we’re ensuring that football and tennis enthusiasts can enjoy unforgettable moments together in their favourite venues. With Optus Sport, we look forward to enhancing -in-venue experiences and drive increased foot traffic into our venue partners.”

This partnership addresses a common challenge for commercial venues: navigating fragmented sports rights across multiple providers.

By consolidating premium sports content, Optus Sport and beIN SPORTS aim to simplify access and deliver a unified sports experience for patrons which will benefit all Australian sport fans.

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