About Umoja Stars
Who we are
Umoja Stars Melbourne is an amateur community football club rooted in Melbourne’s East African community and open to everyone who loves the game. Umoja is Swahili for “unity,” and the name describes the club. We started as a group of friends kicking a ball around on weekends in 2019. Since then we’ve grown into a club that brings together players, families, supporters and local businesses from many backgrounds.
We play to compete, but we stay together for the community. Some people come to train, some come to play, and some come to cheer from the sideline with a thermos of chai. All of them are part of Umoja Stars.
Our philosophy
We believe football is more than ninety minutes on the pitch. It brings people together, builds character and gives people a place where they belong.
- Unity first. We win together, lose together and look out for each other on and off the field.
- Everyone has a place. Experience, age and background don’t decide whether you belong here. Turning up and giving your best does.
- Respect the game. We play hard and fair, and we respect teammates, opponents, referees and supporters.
- Grow together. We want every player to keep developing as a footballer and as a person.
- Give back. A strong club makes a strong community, so we support the people and local businesses who support us.
Our mission
Our mission is to use football to unite and strengthen our community in Melbourne. We do that by:
- giving players of all levels an inclusive, welcoming and competitive club to play for
- building a family-friendly space where newcomers and long-time Melburnians can connect, celebrate their culture and feel at home
- supporting local talent, leadership and mentoring, especially among young people
- connecting members with community businesses and opportunities through the club’s network.