Footscray United Rangers FC is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, and unique lived experiences, reflecting the rich diversity of the suburb it calls home. Embracing all cultures, the club has made significant strides in supporting refugees, thanks to the unwavering dedication of its members and leaders.
National Refugee Week Spotlight
In honour of National Refugee Week, Football Victoria caught up with Club Founder, Nathan McLean, to discuss the remarkable efforts Footscray Rangers are making to accommodate refugees. '
This year, the club launched the Rangers Refugee Football Program with the backing of generous internal donors and corporate sponsors who share the club's vision of an equitable football program for individuals from multicultural backgrounds affected by humanitarian crises.
The program has successfully funded 13 players from countries such as Afghanistan, Congo, Cambodia, and South Sudan. These players are now integrated into the club’s junior and senior teams, providing them with opportunities to play, network, and socialise with other club members.
"We have been humbled and inspired by the stories of our players and are excited to expand this program in the future," McLean said. "Integrating these players into our club helps them gain access to the social capital of our established members, supporting their success in understanding Australian culture."
To support the program, Footscray Rangers aligned with organisations like Australian Migration Education Settlement and the Reagan Millstein Foundation, which provide essentials like boots, uniforms, and sports clothes.
"We feel that connecting with like-minded organisations improves the quality of our player experience," McLean added.
"Our program is inspiring others too, as we've shared our approach with Castlemaine Football Club, demonstrating how we fund and administer this initiative."
Pioneering Leadership and Inclusive Growth
McLean expressed immense pride in the Club's progress, particularly over the past 12 months.
"We've embedded a leadership structure that strengthens our governance, attracts and retains volunteers, and delivers programmes that meet the needs of our local community," he explained.
The Club Changer Program has been instrumental in this progress. "The resources and webinars are incredibly relevant, and the action plan provided by Football Australia has been transformational for us. We strongly advocate for all clubs to follow this framework to strengthen football in this country."
Footscray Rangers' strategic vision ensures they represent the diverse community of their suburb. As part of their journey to becoming a 2-Star Club Changer Club, they've added three women to their committee, achieving a 40/60 gender split in leadership. The club has also seen a dramatic increase in female participation, growing from three girls in late 2023 to 53 participants across junior and senior ranks.
"The Club Changer Development Program gave us a foundation to grow women's participation, helping us attract more female players to the Rangers," McLean said.
A Thriving All-Abilities Program
The Western Suburbs Club also has a thriving All-Abilities Program, which has doubled in size in the last 12 months.
To deliver this program, we have collaborated with local NDIS healthcare providers as a pathway for children to participate in regular training and games. Additionally, we have partnered with Bendigo Bank, myAutonomy Plan Management and The Biomechanics in Footscray, who ensure that this program is offered to children completely for free. This includes the cost of uniforms, specialist playing equipment, registration and insurance fees; the children's families are never out of pocket for participating in this program," McLean explained.
"There are so many barriers to children with disabilities participating in sport, we see that we have an important role to play in growing the All-Abilities game in this way by providing no cost football programs, that can be differentiated to support children with all different kinds of needs."
Footscray United Rangers FC stands as a testament to the power of community and inclusivity, continuously working to create opportunities and break down barriers for all its members