10 December 2023; Mannhar Kaur
Since 2021, the Melbourne University Soccer Club has been championing diversity and inclusion in sport through its All Gender Games (AGGs) initiative. 2023 marked the year for the program's second iteration to level the playing field for all queer, gender diverse, black, indigenous, and other people of colour.
The games were initially introduced to tackle the issue of low sport participation numbers within the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, a direct consequence which came out of experience of discrimination. It does so by implementing a unique and experimental competition design.
First, teams are formed by allocating players at random without any gender quotas in place, contrary to the practices at most mixed competitions. These teams then compete in rounds played at Carlton's Princes Park, making room for social connection and respect for one another. The welcoming nature of the games and its players compels participants to return, and many have also expressed their desire to extend the five-week program into a regular season. In 2023, there were 60 participants from several gender and sexual identities.
A number of steps are also taken to make the game enjoyable, for instance, adapting rules, field size, and numbers depending on the number of participants. Safety is not compromised either, with coaches trained to employ inclusive language and make the pitch a judgment-free place for all.
The
Soccer Club is driving change off the field as well. All players are invited to a free food banquet after each game, fostering a sense of community and cultivating lasting friendships far beyond the soccer field. The Club also runs a variety
of other initiatives to make sport a better space for all, including its work
for Pride in Sport, mental health campaigns and gambling harm awareness.
The Club seems to be kicking goals both on and off the field. This year, the club was recognised with an Award for Excellence in Inclusion at Melbourne University Sport's annual Sport and Volunteer celebration event.
Undoubtedly, the club has formed waves of impact within the sporting community. "We had participants at the games share their experience of trauma in team sports settings and how All Gender Games was a stepping stone in their healing, and that is an impact beyond what I could ever hope for," shared Cat Hoang, the Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer at the Melbourne University Soccer Club.
"I tend to get very emotionally involved with the game. But I learned how to be emotionally involved in a different manner, in a much more positive manner," Rish, an AGG participant, said about the effect the games have had on him.
The year 2023 also marked a momentous occasion for the LGBTQIA+ soccer community when openly gay Australian household names like Sam Kerr showcased their talent on a grand stage during the FIFA Women's World Cup (WWC) which was held in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August. However, Cat says this isn't enough as there is a lot of legwork still required at grassroots levels. "I think having so many openly queer women participate in the WWC has definitely brought positive visibility to the LGBTQI+ community to say very generally. Though, I also think it is important to make it distinct that each identity within the LGBTQI+ community has faced different historical treatment and public perception in sports. Grassroots initiatives like All Gender Games aim to move beyond visibility. We create fluid playing formats that are inclusive of abilities, sexual orientation, and gender. All to show that it is possible to remove rigid rules and attitudes that prevent LGBTQI+ folks or anyone in that matter from playing sports," she explained.
What does the future of the AGG hold? For one, the games will be returning for 2024 in a new and improved format. "It is still in the works but we will be incorporating soccer skills into more "games" rather than only playing matches. Our hope is to get to a point where the games would be self-sustaining and can be run without us!" Cat explained on how the Club is looking onward and upward with its vision for the All Gender Games.