• A-League rivals Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory put aside on-field rivalry ahead of Melbourne Derby to launch new anti-racism program in partnership with Reflect Forward and Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA).
  • The new partnership was launched at AAMI Park on Monday with a screening of the ABC’s new documentary, End Game, hosted by Tony Armstrong and addressing Australia’s overdue reckoning with racism in sport.
  • The Victorian Government-funded Local Anti-Racism Initiatives (LARI) Program will see Victory and City harness the power of football and footballers to tackle racism in communities. The LARI Program aims to engage over 10,000 young people on racism in sport and society.

Two of Melbourne’s biggest A-League clubs have put on-field rivalry aside to tackle racism in local communities through a new Victorian Government-funded anti-racism program set to engage over 10,000 young people. 

Melbourne Victory FC and Melbourne City FC have joined forces with Reflect Forward and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) to launch the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives (LARI) Program – a statewide collaboration harnessing the power of football and footballers to tackle racism on the field, in the stands, and in local clubs and schools.

Backed by the Victorian Government, the program will engage more than 10,000 young people through a series of athlete-led workshops, football-based learning sessions, community visits, the first-ever 2026 Anti-Racism Symposium, and match-day promotions. 

The captains of both City and Victory will promote the partnership at this Saturday’s Melbourne Derby, by wearing Reflect Forward armbands, designed by the PFA and Park SCC, as a visible commitment to anti-racism.

On Monday, Victory and City held a screening of the ABC’s End Game – a new three-part documentary series addressing racism in Australian sport at AAMI Park, with members of Government, media and football stakeholders in attendance to mark the partnership launch.

Jamal Elsheikh of Reflect Forward said:

“This partnership with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC takes the Reflect Forward movement one step further. What started as a collaboration between Reflect Forward and PFA in 2021 is now growing – bringing clubs, athletes, and communities together to take real action against racism.”

Sunil Menon, Head of Community, Melbourne City FC added:

“Melbourne City has always believed in the power of football to make a difference. Through our community programs, we’ve seen how the game can bring people together and build understanding across cultures.

“By putting rivalries aside and working with Melbourne Victory and supported by educational experts such as Reflect Forward, we’re showing that when we stand together, we can help create a safer, more inclusive community across Victoria”

Melbourne Victory FC, Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie said:

“Melbourne Victory is committed to setting a standard for not only fan engagement but also, and importantly, community connection. Through the power and passion of football, we strive to lead, unite, connect, and inspire our members, fans and the wider Victory community across Victoria”.

“By working with Reflect Forward and Melbourne City we believe we can help decrease the instances of racism in sport. Collaborating on this project will create places in schools and football clubs that ensure all Victorians feel a greater sense of pride and belonging”.

Professional Footballers Australia Chief Executive Beau Busch said:

“For the last five years, players have worked alongside Reflect Forward to challenge racism and drive real change in our game, through Reflect Forward ambassadors like Kyah Simon, and developing player storytelling and educational content for schools across Australia.

“This partnership with Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory is another step forward, with players and clubs coming together to make football safer, more respectful and more inclusive for everyone.

“Australian football is the beneficiary of our multicultural communities and the diversity across our nation. With that comes the responsibility to proactively protect those who contribute so much.”