Melbourne City FC and City in the Community (CiTC) are strengthening our commitment to anti-racism by partnering with Reflect Forward – and teaming up with Melbourne Victory – to bring meaningful “anti-racism” learning experiences to young people across Melbourne’s south-east.
Since launching in July 2025, the program has already reached more than 1,300 students across St John’s Primary Frankston, Timbarra P–9 College, Lyndale Secondary College and Langwarrin Park Primary School. Each workshop creates a safe space for honest conversations about “anti-racism”, respect, inclusion and standing up for one another; helping students understand the real impact they can have on their community.
Our A-League players have played a huge role too, joining sessions to talk openly about resilience, wellbeing, goal-setting and calling out behaviour that isn’t OK. Hearing these stories directly from professional footballers gives students a rare, authentic look at the challenges their heroes face, and how they work together to drive positive change in the game.
Early next year, CiTC will join Reflect Forward and Melbourne Victory to host an anti-racism symposium at AAMI Park; bringing schools, community leaders and government together for a bigger conversation about football’s role in creating safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone.
Reflect Forward Director Jamal Elsheikh said the program’s impact is already clear:
“This partnership with City in the Community and Melbourne Victory is making a real difference in classrooms across Victoria. We’re excited to keep building this work with CiTC and Melbourne Victory to empower even more young people in the year ahead.”
Stephen Frantzeskakis, City in the Community Programs Lead, said:
“This program has already had a huge impact on the young people we’ve worked with. Creating space for honest conversations about racism and inclusion is critical and we’re helping young people understand the role they can play. Across this and our many programs, it shows just how powerful football can be in driving real social change.”
And this weekend, ahead of the Melbourne Derby, both club captains will wear anti-racism armbands in solidarity with communities affected by racial injustice. It’s a simple but powerful reminder of the message being shared in classrooms every week – racism has no place in football, and it’s on all of us to call it out and create change.
