As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, which starts later this month, there will be a screening in Kyneton of a short film about local football club, the Mount Alexander Falcons.
The film, which documents the club’s origins and its fight for inclusion, will be followed by a panel discussion that will include the film’s creator and Falcons player, Mitch Nivalis.
Equal the Contest follows the formation in 2021 of the Castlemaine-based football club for women and gender-diverse people and their fight for inclusion in the Australian Football League.
Despite fulfilling all the necessary conditions to form a new club, the Falcons initially had their application rejected by AFL Central Victoria and the club members embarked on a campaign to gather support from the community to overturn the decision, challenging age-old sporting traditions and joining the wider movement for gender equality.
“Equal the Contest is a case study for current-day gender inequality,” says Mitch. “It highlights the challenges still faced by women and gender-diverse people who simply want to play football – or any sport.”
The club is going from strength to strength and this year the Falcons played their first official season as part of the inaugural women’s football competition in the Riddell District Football Netball League.
“The club has created a welcoming and inclusive community where women and gender diverse people have the opportunity to play and to take on leadership positions free of gender constraints. It’s great to see local sport leading the way and encouraging the broader society to embrace equality for all.”
The screening event and panel discussion is being organised by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health and Macedon Ranges Shire Council, with support from Women’s Health Loddon Mallee.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global movement that runs from November 25 to December 10 each year raising awareness and challenging the causes of gender-based violence.
The event takes place on Monday December 4 at 6pm in Kyneton.
To book your ticket go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/equalthecontest. Enquiries to amanda.perry@scchc.org.au or call 0490 050 652.
