Celebrate the stories, voices and communities that make the game more than just sport.
Former and current football players and community advocates will explore how the game is shaping connections across Australia, creating spaces of inclusion and strengthening ties between diverse communities.
Through personal stories and lived experiences, our speakers will share how football supports diverse communities and offers a sense of belonging and identity.
Allow time to explore the exhibition Home is Football: Belonging in Australian Soccer before or after the panel discussion.
Home is Football: Belonging in Australian Soccer has been produced with support from our co-creator Melbourne Victory Football Club and Professional Footballers Australia.
Includes museum entry
Adult $30
Senior $27
Concession $25
Child $20
First Peoples $20
Member $23
Member Child $15
Date & Time
Saturday 11 July
2pm to 3pm
SPEAKERS
Jana Favero is Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of Systemic Change at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. With more than two decades of experience in refugee policy, advocacy and systems reform, Jana has led major campaigns and policy initiatives aimed at advancing the rights and inclusion of people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia. Jana is proudly Italian-Australian and loves football, Forza Inter!
Kate Gill is a sports executive, governance leader, former Matildas captain, and Australia’s all-time leading goal scorer who has spent her career architecting world-first change in elite sport. As a senior leader of Professional Footballers Australia, she co-led the negotiation of football’s first gender-equal pay agreement between the Socceroos and Matildas, secured the inaugural A-League Women’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, and served on FIFPro’s Transition Board, helping guide the world players’ union through its largest governance overhaul in 59 years.
Mursal Sadat is an Afghan human rights advocate, public speaker, and former player for the Afghanistan women's national football team. She advocates for women’s rights and refugee empowerment while working across community leadership, sport, and public engagement in Melbourne.
Craig Foster AM has made a profound impact on football and society as a player, broadcaster and advocate for player rights, multiculturalism, and social justice. Foster earned 29 caps for Australia as Socceroo #419 and served as the national team’s 40th captain. Across a 20-year broadcasting career, he has delivered analysis across FIFA World Cups, Olympic Games and the UEFA Champions League. Foster is also a Life Member and former CEO and Chair of Professional Footballers Australia. Named NSW Australian of the Year in 2023, Foster supports Indigenous football teams and youth development, and his global human rights advocacy includes leading the #SaveHakeem campaign and supporting the Afghan Women’s National Team fight for recognition, highlighting football’s power to drive justice and inclusion.
Tom Yabio is the Founder and Executive Director of Football Empowerment, a community organisation that uses football to connect, develop and empower young people from diverse backgrounds. Born in a refugee camp in Sudan to Ethiopian refugee parents, Tom arrived in Australia in 1995 with his five brothers and three sisters, settling in Adelaide. Growing up, football played a significant role in helping him build friendships, develop a sense of belonging, and connect with the broader Australian community. Through Football Empowerment, Tom is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to thrive through sport, leadership, education and community engagement.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please view our accessibility page for general information. A sensory map of Melbourne Museum can be found on our Visual Stories page where step-by-step visual and written access guides are available. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at mvbookings@museum.vic.gov.au to discuss how we can support your visit.
