Underdogs – The Australian Kelpies Story

Australian sport has long been dominated by hyper-masculine codes, where being openly queer is still seen as a risk to an athlete’s career.

A Swinburne University study found LGBTQIA+ young people have significantly lower participation in sport compared to their peers. 80% of participants in Australian sport have witnessed or experienced homophobia, yet only 16% of people in the sector openly identify as LGBTQIA+.

Traditional male sports are still widely seen as unsafe, unwelcoming, and dominated by outdated masculine norms. But 60% of people say they would engage with a sport that demonstrates a strong record on inclusion. Underdogs presents a powerful alternative—spotlighting the Kelpies, a team where diverse identities are visible, celebrated, and thriving.

By following their journey, we aim to challenge the status quo and imagine a more inclusive sporting future.

Underdogs aims to redefine what it means to be a man in Australian sport. The Kelpies offer a bold alternative to traditional sporting culture—where queer athletes are celebrated, not sidelined, and straight allies proudly stand beside them.

With over a quarter of the team identifying as gay, and all players challenging outdated gender norms, this film will spark urgent conversations around inclusion, masculinity and representation. As men’s netball grows, so too does the opportunity to inspire a new generation of athletes—queer and straight—who believe that sport should be a space for everyone.

Men’s netball is growing significantly, and in 2023, the Kelpies were televised for the first time with talks of a World Cup and potential inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Our goal is to inspire a new generation of athletes unafraid to show the world who they truly are, challenge Australia’s perception of what it means to be a ‘man in sport,’ and increase LGBTQIA+ youth participation in sports by providing them with the role models the Kelpies never had.

The director, Lukas Radovich, has the full support of AMMNA (Australian Mens and Mixed Netball Association) to document the 2025 Trans Tasman Cup. Heath Brown (Head of Strategy) has personally signed off on the project.

Nerida Stewart, Head Coach of the Kelpies, as well as the team itself are supportive of the project. Liam Forcadilla, current Kelpie and International Player of the Year, also has a personal relationship with Lukas, and is his partner.

Fox Sports has given access to all game footage, both archival and future, to use within the Documentary.

If you’re in a position to support this film, your donation will help bring Underdogs to life and drive real change in Australian sport.

To support men’s netball directly, visit the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association website to learn how you can donate or become a sponsor of the Kelpies program.