O-LYM-PIC - Football Dreams (7-Day Rental)

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When filmmaker Janet Merewether set out to film an ambitious group of ten-year-old underdogs from Sydney Olympic FC on a whirlwind tour, competing against junior football teams from the powerhouses of the Bundesliga and top European clubs such as Manchester United, Ajax and Benfica, little did she expect to also be documenting the involvement of (now former) Club President Bill Papas, the ‘colourful football identity’ who made headlines in 2021 for allegedly defrauding Westpac Bank for hundreds of millions of dollars. Who knew? Certainly not the parents. 

O-LYM-PIC Football Dreams is essential viewing for all aspiring football players, teachers, coaches and sports fans. It features interviews with some of Australia, Germany and the UK’s leading coaches and technical directors.

This is a story of professional pathways, youth football and the multicultural history of the ‘roundball game’ in Australia, as a young team aspires to represent club and country. Why do Australian national teams continue to struggle on the world stage, and why are so many children excluded due to the expense and rigorous demands of participation? What can we learn from the German youth development system? The documentary features exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and interviews with some of Europe’s leading youth coaches who reveal some of their positive training methods and their high level of education and coach accreditation.

A documentary about big dreams, ambition, and integrity in elite sport, and the potential for corruption and inequity in the lucrative world of international professional football. Above all, the film is about the kids’ love of the ‘world game’, and the support they need to succeed.

Running time: 86 mins

ATOM has also produced a study guide for O-LYM-PIC – Football Dreams. This study guide is available for download here.