Page 13 - Football Victoria Historical Review & Recommendations FINAL_Neat

A COMMITMENT TO TELLING OUR WHOLE STORY

Without a formalised and adequately resourced historical program, some eras of Victorian football have been neglected or
not addressed appropriately.

Respondents in the survey indicated that it is ‘extremely or somewhat important’ that this is rectified, and that the Football
Victoria Historical Committee address each era of football in this state equally where possible. (See: Report Data)

THE FOOTBALL VICTORIA HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

To ensure a whole-of-history, whole-of-game approach to creating a compelling historical program for the sport, it is
important that the make up of the Football Victoria Historical Committee consists of representatives from sectors of the
sport that add most value to its role.

It is also important that the members of this committee are supported by best practise advice on the curation of history in
sport.

The majority of survey responses on this topic indicated that, to meet this criteria, the historical committee should include
one or more football historians, former players, club administrators, football fans, a representative of Football Victoria and a
member from the football media. (See: Report Data)

Survey feedback also stated that the committee should have access to an expert in world’s best practice approaches to the
curation of history, either as a member of the committee or as an advisor to the committee. (See: Report Data)

WHO IS TELLING ITS STORY WELL?

In its endeavours to establish a modern and professional historical program for the sport, it is incumbent on Football
Victoria, as the custodian for the game in this state, to conduct research to discover which sporting organisations in Australia
and across the world, curate their history well.
The majority of survey feedback indicated that in Australia the AFL and a select number of its clubs are leaders in this area.
Other sports notable for their historical programs include Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia. (See: Report Data)

Internationally, football federations and professional clubs across Europe were also recognised by survey respondents as
cutting edge in this regard. (See: Report Data)

In a non-sporting sense, the Australian Military through its ANZAC Day service and RSL Gallipoli events, were also examples
that Victoria football should take note of.

WHERE SHOULD THE HOME OF VICTORIAN FOOTBALL HISTORY BE?

An essential part of a comprehensive football historical program is the showcasing of its artefacts.

At present Victorian football does not have a permanent digital or physical space to exhibit its football artefacts.

The majority of survey feedback indicated that the sport needs a website dedicated to Victorian football history. (See: Report
Data)

Strong support also came for establishing a football exhibition at the National Sports Museum at the MCG or the proposed
Matildas home of football in Victoria.

WHO SHOULD WE PARTNER IN TELLING OUR STORY?

The Victorian football story is a unique story that has many synergies with organisations outside football.

Respondents indicated strongly that Victorian football should do more, in a joint venture funding and commercial sense, to
partner multicultural agencies, local and state government, the education sector and historical groups, to tell its story in a
way that is not exclusive to sport. (See: Report Data)

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