The Victorian football community assembled at Spring Street on Thursday 11 September, in a powerful show of unity for the official launch of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Football; a new bipartisan group advocating for the world game across the state.
Hosted at Parliament House, the historic event brought together stakeholders from all levels of the game to champion football’s growth and highlight the infrastructure investment needed to sustain it. The extraordinary cross-section of Victoria’s football family included MPs from across the political spectrum, local council representatives, partners including La Trobe University and Nike, Sport and Recreation Victoria, as well as representatives from Football Australia, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.
Football greats Selin Kuralay and Thomas Sørensen captivated the room, reminding all present of the incredible opportunities football provides, from a child’s first MiniRoos session or representing the world stage.
Adding to the vibrancy, MPs proudly welcomed clubs from their electorates as guests, their colours and scarves a powerful visual of the game’s reach across every corner of Victoria.
Speaking at the event, longstanding football supporter Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment; Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events; and Minister for Outdoor Recreation - whose leadership has already helped deliver major investments including the Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University - reinforced the government’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with football to meet the game’s needs and secure its future.
Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia. We know how important football is to our state and community, which is why we invested more than $42 million for the Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University. This new Parliamentary Friends group will help continue Victoria’s support for the game, which attracts thousands of fans to our city and is played by a growing number of Victorians.
The launch was headlined by founding members Anthony Cianflone MP, Member for Pascoe Vale and John Pesutto MP, Member for Hawthorn. Both Cianflone and Pesutto spoke passionately about their personal connections to football and the game’s power to transform communities.
Cianflone reflected on football’s power as a unifying force in Victoria.
I’m honoured and humbled to have co-founded the inaugural Parliamentary Friends of Football Victoria. No other sport can bring nations, states, communities and neighbourhoods together like the world game.
"Transcending cultures, ethnicities, faiths and backgrounds - football truly is the global language.
"That’s why it finally deserves to be recognised at the highest levels within the Victorian Government and Victorian Parliament.
"Following the outstanding success of the Matilda’s World Cup Campaign, football’s continued to remain one of the fastest growing and most participated grassroots sports across Victoria, with over 400,000 annual participants and now over 115,000 registered players.
"That’s why as a Victorian Labor Government we’ve continued to invest to back the game’s growth via the $101 million Home of Matilda’s Project at Latrobe University, and record amounts towards upgrading local grounds, lights and female change room facilities.
"However the reality is we must continue doing more - which is why we’ve created the Parliamentary Friends of Football to bring together Parliamentarians, leaders from across the football community and our grassroots clubs to help raise the awareness and facilitate the support needed to progress Football Victoria’s new 2025-2035 facilities strategy”
Pesutto acknowledged the responsibility we all share to ensure we can continue to meet demand.
The world game like no other sport evokes the most intense feelings, not just of individual players and teams, but of entire nations.
"The beautiful game can be played anywhere - from a pitch, to a driveway to a kitchen. Anywhere will do.
"The game provides universal pathways and doesn't care for where one is born. It is a sport undeterred by the scourge of poverty or injustice around the world - it can reach everyone with the joy of participation.
"It's in that light that we need to prepare for the bright future of the game in Victoria. We can achieve this by helping with real and tangible grassroots infrastructure and opportunities.
"The Parliamentary Friends of Football will aim to do just that.”
Their remarks reflected the shared commitment across both major parties to supporting football’s rapid rise and its impact on Victorian communities. Following the launch, Cianflone took the opportunity to formally address Parliament, sharing key insights on this demand and the need for ongoing support.
Dr Angela Williams, FV Chair and Interim CEO, Dan Birrell offered a glimpse into the FV Facilities Strategy 2025–2035, which will be formally released on October 1. Their preview highlighted both the remarkable surge in participation and the urgent need for new pitches, lighting, and infrastructure to keep pace.
FV Chair, Dr Angela Williams said the launch formalises the intent of all parties to champion our game.
Today’s launch was a special celebration of the spirit of our game and the rich diversity of our community. We’re looking forward to working together, supporting all Victorians to find their place and to thrive in football.”
Football is already Victoria’s largest and fastest-growing club-based team sport – and demand continues to surge. Our game has experienced a 43% increase in registered traditional club football participants since 2022, reaching 115,946 in 2024 and is projected to well and truly exceed that number in 2025.
Across all forms of traditional, social and indoor football/futsal, over 391,000 Victorians played our game in 2024.
MiniRoos participation has grown by 65% and junior participation by 39% in the same period, highlighting the extraordinary growth in grassroots football.
By 2035, an additional 22,500 players are expected to take up the game. Yet with just one pitch for every 7,000 people; and increasing stress being placed on the existing network of football venues; the facilities gap is undeniable.
FV’s Facilities Strategy 2025–2035, set to be officially launched on October 1, sets out a clear pathway to meet this demand.
The launch of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Football showed what can be achieved when the game speaks with one voice and government listens with bipartisan support.
Football Victoria warmly thanks every MP, council, club and football friend who joined us in celebrating this landmark occasion and for adding your voice as an advocate for our game.