Life Without Barriers has joined forces with Dynamo Melbourne FC to create more opportunities across Melbourne’s communities.
Image: Three Dynamo Melbourne FC players; Jack, Joshua and Sebastián, holding up t-shirts with the Life Without Barriers logo on them.
Football might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about support services for diverse communities. But in Kensington, in Melbourne’s inner Northwest, an up-and-coming community football club is providing social connection for a vibrant multicultural community, winning a few trophies while they’re at it.
Dynamo Melbourne FC is Australia's most multicultural football club, home to players from more than 40 nationalities, and has garnered widespread recognition for its diverse and inclusive approach to sport.
As formally announced at its 2025 season launch on Friday evening, the club now counts Life Without Barriers as one of its key supporters.
For Panos Massouris, Director of Life Without Barriers National Immigration Support Service, the new partnership is one that speaks to the creative ways that can support Melbourne's vibrant multicultural community.
“Sport has this magic ability to bring us together, no matter our backgrounds, and to foster a deep sense of inclusion and wellbeing."
"I am thrilled that Life Without Barriers has joined forces with Dynamo Melbourne FC, an innovative community organisation that we share a deep value alignment with,” he said.
Image: From the left: Justin Lehmann, Alejandro Ramirez, and Panos Massouris, stand against a media wall holding soccer jerseys with the Life Without Barriers logo.
This sentiment was shared by Club President and Founder, Alejandro Ramirez, himself a Colombian migrant, who presented the Life Without Barriers team with a personalised jersey at Friday evening’s event.
“We are so excited to welcome Life Without Barriers on board as a partner for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, an organisation we respect deeply and are so keen learn from. We have big plans for this partnership.”
One of the more exciting elements of the new partnership will see Dynamo Melbourne FC offer dedicated social football sessions for people from diverse backgrounds, supported by Life Without Barriers. You can find more information on the sessions at the end of this article.
“We love that we can open our space to strengthen community bonds and we’re so looking forward to welcoming new people to our club, especially those from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds,” Alejandro said.
The sessions, kicking off later this month, are aimed at promoting social inclusion and providing a chance for people to play, connect, and feel at home in Melbourne, in a pressure free environment.
Beyond this though, the partnership has created a supported pathway for those wishing to take things to the next level and join the club’s competitive teams, who now compete under Football Victoria.
Image: Dynamo Melbourne FC male players standing on a sunny field. They are all wearing white t-shirts with the Life Without Barriers logo in green.
For Alejandro, the social sessions pay homage to the club’s grassroots origins, which evolved from a group of friends looking for a way to meaningfully connect, whilst staying active.
“Many of us here at Dynamo know exactly how it feels to be new to Melbourne, and that experience can come with a lot of isolation."
"We place a big emphasis on purpose and service, so many of our members end up getting involved in other aspects of the club like serving at our canteen, keeping our pavilion clean or helping design our uniforms."
"These service roles help us foster a sense of belonging and purpose."
"Time and time again, once our members feel connected, they really start to thrive," Alejandro added.
And that’s no surprise, given the club has now morphed into a force-for-good both on and off the field, also offering a raft of complimentary social supports to members, including connections to employers and even migration specialists.
For Panos, learning about the impact these supports have had and getting to know the club’s ethos on community wellbeing made the partnership hard to say no to.
“We’re delighted the people we support will have the opportunity to join a community fostering wellbeing and connection in a multitude of ways; not only through meaningful social connection, but also through flow on improvements to mental and physical health that come with organised sport.”
And from the smiles, laughter and dancing on display at Friday’s event, the future looks set to be bright for this new partnership.
We truly believe sport has the power to transform lives, and this partnership is a huge step toward using football to build stronger, more inclusive communities.
Image: Two young Dynamo Melbourne FC players, Lewis and Ramadan, holding up t-shirts with Life Without Barriers on them.
These sessions aim to provide people from diverse backgrounds, including refugees and migrants a chance to play, connect, and feel at home in Melbourne, with a focus on building skills, confidence, and connections.
By working together, we aim to strengthen bonds within our local community and create spaces where everyone feels welcome and supported.
Date: Every Tuesday night
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Location: JJ Holland Park (next to South Kensington Train Station), Kensington, Victoria.
For more information, contact Justin Lehmann, Regional Operations Manager: justin.lehmann@lwb.org.au or 0459 848 104.
Share this poster with anyone who may want to join in!
Photography by Alistair Kennedy.
