Racism Doesn't Belong in Our Game
Gülcan is a former professional football player. Having experienced racism as a junior player, she now works to build club culture grounded in respect, accountability, and belonging.
Racism doesn?t belong in our game.
Content Warning: This content contains explicit mentions of racism.
Gülcan is a former Melbourne Victory player who was born in Australia to Turkish migrant parents and raised in a household where football was seen as a men?s domain. She began playing at 9 years old at a Turkish club, Dingley City, as one of 2 girls in an all?boys team. From her first game, Gülcan experienced hostility. She was often the only girl in the team and internalised the idea that she should feel grateful just to be allowed to participate.
Alongside sexism, she experienced racism related to her skin colour and Turkish heritage, which made her question whether she belonged. These experiences stayed with her and shape her work as Community Engagement Manager at Avondale FC.
Through building a club culture grounded in respect, accountability and belonging, Gülcan is working to ensure the next generation encounters fewer barriers than she did.
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