A review of Football Belongs – Australia’s football history

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Football Belongs poster

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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Shepparton Cup 2024: The largest junior football tournament goes from strength to strength

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The Shepparton Cup was conducted over the weekend, with the event being the largest weekend junior football tournament ever held in Australia.

The 3-day event was a huge overall success, with a record breaking 313 teams competing in the tournament across 21 divisions.

Matches were spread across 38 pitches at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Shepparton Sports City, Rumbalara and Wanganui Oval.

With around 4,000 players participating, 755 matches were played over the weekend – with finals matches concluding the event on Sunday.

“It was the biggest and smoothest tournament we’ve ever ran in our 17-year history,” Australian Football Skool (AFS) Director Rolando Navas told Soccerscene.

“There was of course really good football on show across the age groups and great sportsmanship, which was fantastic to see.

“I think the message is getting through about how important it is to provide a positive environment for kids to play sport in. It was pleasing to see everybody there, both players and parents/supporters, had a good time.”

Navas estimates that there were well over 12,500 people attending the event across both venues over the weekend, providing a giant boost to the local Shepparton area.

“You are talking about a wide range of people who are, at a minimum, staying in the city of Shepparton or close by for two nights,” he said.

“The economic impact was massive.”

Economic activity at Shepparton Cup – Image Credit: One Nil Media

Director for Sustainable Development at Greater Shepparton City Council, Geraldine Christou, further explained the greater benefits the tournament had on the local community.

“Australia’s largest junior weekend football tournament right here in Greater Shepparton showcases the strength of our community spirit and our capacity to host major events that bring joy, talent, and visitors to our region,” she stated.

“The economic benefit of this tournament is immense with an estimated $3 to $4 million generated for the region, supporting our local businesses and creating lasting memories for thousands of young athletes and their families.

The Greater Shepparton City Council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation team played a big hand in the organisation of the tournament, which included looking after the setup of pitches to the placement of goals at the venues.

Football Victoria CEO Chris Pehlivanis, who attended the tournament over the course of the weekend, was impressed with the execution of it.

“I’m proud of the whole tournament, it was an amazing opportunity to come down here to Shepparton and see lots of boys and girls playing football and playing lots of games,” he stated at the event.

“I think most kids had six, seven, eight games which is an amazing opportunity and not only that, there was amazing organisation.

“Everyone should be extremely proud of what they have achieved here this weekend…the logistics, everything was run smoothly…the referees were great and all the parents and participants were great.”

Kids at play during the Shepparton Cup – Image Credit: One Nil Media

The Shepparton Cup has continued to grow exponentially over the years, initially starting with just 30 teams in the inaugural tournament in 2007.

This year’s edition also featured a wide range of off the field activities that contributed to a carnival like atmosphere. There was live music, on stage entertainment, food trucks, a fun zone for players and families.

Navas detailed to Soccerscene that the enormity of the event was not lost on him and is investigating ways to make the competition better in the near future.

“(The growth of the event has been) overwhelming, compared to many of the previous years. It was the biggest by far this year and there was a great positivity around it.

“The plan is to not necessarily make it bigger in the future, just to tweak it and add more to it and make it a better experience for everyone.

“I’d love to be able to attract some more international teams, we are looking at that to see how we can get some of the Asian teams to come across to the event.

“This would be fantastic, as it would show the kids here how football is played in different parts of the world. The way we look at things is ‘if I was 10- or 12-years-old what would I want this tournament be?’

“That’s what drives a lot of our thinking and ultimately our initiatives. It’s important to us because if the kids have a good experience, they’re going to become better players and better people because of it.

“We’ve also received some really good information from the feedback surveys we put out, which is very beneficial in shaping the tournament suitably in future editions.”

Excitement builds as ‘biggest ever’ Shepparton Cup returns this weekend

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Image: Australian Football Skool

Victoria’s biggest junior football tournament kicks off this weekend, with thousands of players getting ready to lace up their boots for the Shepparton Cup.

This year’s edition of the tournament will see 312 teams participate in the competition, with matches to be played between Friday 25th October – Sunday 27th October.

Over 4000 boys and girls are expected to play across the 3-day event, with players ranging between the age groups of under 7s – under 18s.

“They are coming from all corners,” Australian Football Skool (AFS) Director Rolando Navas told Soccerscene, who’s organisation is in charge of running the Shepparton Cup.

“The majority (of players) are from Victoria, regional and metro, but we’ve also got teams from New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and New Zealand, which we are definitely excited about.”

The tournament was introduced in 2007 and has been in operation in most years since then, but due to the COVID pandemic and floods in recent times, the tournament returned last year after a 3-year hiatus.

Last year’s event had 221 teams register, with numbers dramatically increasing for this year’s version of the tournament.

“The biggest participation we had was having 287 clubs compete one year prior to COVID, so with 312 teams this year, it’s the biggest junior competition ever in Victoria to my knowledge.”

Over 12,000 visitors are expected in Shepparton and the neighbouring towns across the weekend, in what is a huge economic boost to local tourism in the area.

“Obviously there are a lot of visitors, which is great,” Navas said.

“People stay overnight (sometimes longer), and spend their money in town – not on just restaurants, petrol, groceries, they visit the local precents as well of course.

“It’s not just for Shepparton (there’s only 3000 beds to stay in the city), the other surrounding areas benefit as well.

“The clubs in the region there cater, local food traders get involved as well, so overall it’s a great boost.”

On the field, play begins on Friday night with 16 games scheduled – with the remaining 759 matches to be played across Saturday and Sunday at the Shepparton Sports Precinct and Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.

“From the football side of things, a lot of these kids have had a long season so it’s sort of a culmination of putting into practice what they’ve been training and learning throughout the season,” Navas said.

“It puts them in a different environment where there’s a lot of games, high pressure, competitive yet a lot of sportsmanship shown and it’s a unique experience.”

There have been a number of high-profile players who have appeared at the tournament over the years, going on to play professionally in leagues around the world.

“We’ve been quite lucky to have some really good players that have played in the tournament, who have gone on to become professionals and represent their country at the highest level,” Navas said.

Players such as Garang Kuol, Ajdin Hrustic, Nishan Velupillay and most recently Luke Brooke-Smith – are just some of the well-known players that have played matches at the Shepparton Cup in previous iterations.

Some matches of the competition will be live streamed on the tournament’s dedicated mobile app over the weekend, thanks to AFS’ partnership with YourSportLive. Other partnerships organised for the tournament include agreements with McDonalds, Kelme, Sports Centre, Ultra Football and many more organisations.

“Travel4football is also our travel partner for the tournament, they are organising the travel for 6 teams from New Zealand and a couple of teams form Tasmanina – which is exciting,” Navas said.

Outside of the matches to be played – there will be plenty of live music and entertainment on offer, an interactive fun zone, food trucks, and special guests expected from the large football community.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, expressed his enthusiasm for the football extravaganza.

“Greater Shepparton has had the pleasure of hosting the Shepparton Cup for a number of years…our local clubs are excited for the great opportunity to be involved with some of the key event operations, using this experience to invest back into their facilities and sporting groups,” he stated.

The Shepparton Cup is set to be a huge event for the region, with hopes of continual growth year-on-year.

Speaking on the event overall, Navas stated: “It’s a very social thing for players and parents, they get to have barbecues, hang out and watch other kids play – it really is a big celebration for the end of season.

“It is an important day on the football calendar and we want everyone to have a positive experience.”

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