Pub Footy

  • Dates
    2015 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Location Melbourne, Australia

Australian life comes in many different forms. I chose to be a part of the Renegade Pub Football League (Pub Footy) for its inclusive, modern and community minded take on AFL, a staple of my up-bringing in rural Australia. AFL, historically is not an inclusive sport.

As a child I played for 6 years in a boys team as no girls teams existed. Every year my parents fought the league to keep me playing. I wasn’t allowed to play after 14 years of age, a story common for many women of my age group.

As I got older, I moved away from sport, becoming disenfranchised by the sexism ingrained in AFL. In my late 20’s I joined the pub footy league. Each team is affiliated with a pub or live music venue in the inner north of Melbourne.

I fell in love with the league and its constant effort to welcome people of any gender identity, sexual orientation, race, culture, religion, or skill-level. I started documenting each round, the crowd, the teams and taking portraits of each player to create trading cards. During each round the league raises money for a different charity via a community bbq while a crowd of families, hipsters, footy fans and doggo’s watch and enjoy the inclusive atmosphere.

I have taken 1000’s of photos, often with a beer in my hand. I strive to convey the happy, vibrant and inclusive nature of a community of people coming together to have fun, drink some beers, listen to music and play a little sport in-between.

My name is J, I am a professional photographer. In my arts practice I document the world around me. My images are as simple (and as complex) as my one-letter first name.

© J Forsyth - Fyfe 'not a cunt' t-shirt was worn during the plebiscite debate in Australia in support of the queer community
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Fyfe 'not a cunt' t-shirt was worn during the plebiscite debate in Australia in support of the queer community

© J Forsyth - The Unicorns run onto the field through a banner before the game
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The Unicorns run onto the field through a banner before the game

© J Forsyth - Rosco, always in a onsie or costume climbs the fence to pose for his footy card photo
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Rosco, always in a onsie or costume climbs the fence to pose for his footy card photo

© J Forsyth - Uncle Bill performs the Welcome to Country showing the players the origins of AFL come from the indigenous game Marngrook
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Uncle Bill performs the Welcome to Country showing the players the origins of AFL come from the indigenous game Marngrook

© J Forsyth - Player poses for footy card photo
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Player poses for footy card photo

© J Forsyth - Crowd on a wet winters day
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Crowd on a wet winters day

© J Forsyth - Happy Birthday
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Happy Birthday

© J Forsyth - Players from different teams chat and pose for a photo
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Players from different teams chat and pose for a photo

© J Forsyth - Players welcome the next team on to the ground
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Players welcome the next team on to the ground

© J Forsyth - Player posed for footy card photo wearing an Indigenous flag t-shirt
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Player posed for footy card photo wearing an Indigenous flag t-shirt

© J Forsyth - Abi is chaired off after being named Best On Ground
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Abi is chaired off after being named Best On Ground

© J Forsyth - Before the game, dressed as a Unicorn
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Before the game, dressed as a Unicorn

© J Forsyth - Salty(right) removed her jumper on field to stop the bleeding of her team mate (left)
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Salty(right) removed her jumper on field to stop the bleeding of her team mate (left)

© J Forsyth - Coach and Rosco read a story to the players at half time. Coach is a primary school teacher
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Coach and Rosco read a story to the players at half time. Coach is a primary school teacher

© J Forsyth - Players hug after a win
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Players hug after a win

© J Forsyth - Eye Gougers players celebrate and sing their song after a win
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Eye Gougers players celebrate and sing their song after a win

© J Forsyth - Time for a dart
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Time for a dart

© J Forsyth - Mates embrace
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Mates embrace

© J Forsyth - Coach talks to the players with the team being held up behind. The team is written on the inside of a beer carton
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Coach talks to the players with the team being held up behind. The team is written on the inside of a beer carton

© J Forsyth - The Unicorns celebrate (the usual) lose by singing their song and having a 'beer shower' in the change rooms after the game
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The Unicorns celebrate (the usual) lose by singing their song and having a 'beer shower' in the change rooms after the game

Pub Footy by J Forsyth

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