The Underdogs, led by The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick, are back for a third year to give deserving children the chance to feel included, celebrated, and confident on some of Melbourne’s biggest sporting stages.
This will be the second basketball edition and selected kids will get to run onto John Cain Arena on Sunday, February 15, during a Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks NBL match. They will take part in a half-time game in front of fans, creating a moment designed to make them feel valued, seen, and part of a team.
Registration is now open for parents around Melbourne to nominate their child for The Underdogs Basketball Edition 2026 here: https://hit.listnr.com/w/melbourne/register-now-fifi-fev-nicks-underdogs-basketball-edition-2026/
The initiative supports children who have experienced exclusion due to illness, bullying, or personal hardship. According to the Australian Government’s eSafety Commissioner, around one in four children aged 8–12 experience bullying, making programs like The Underdogs a worthy reminder that every child deserves a sense of belonging.
This morning Fifi, Fev & Nick welcomed 10-year-old Mila as the first Underdog of 2026. Mila’s mum Eleni shared Mila’s challenges at school due to ASD and ADHD and how she had found comfort hearing about The Underdogs last year, realising she wasn’t alone.
Eleni: Mila is 10 years old and she’s neurodivergent. She is ASD level two and ADHD. She likes her teachers but dislikes going to school, so I’m often battling with her to even get her to school. Once I pick her up, you can see her face change, and she bawls her eyes out. She says the kids are treating her horribly or making fun of her. She does a lot of vocal stimming, so this tends to be animal sounds. They will call her ‘weird’, and she gets really upset by it and thinks everyone hates her…
Fifi Box: Oh, Eleni! I can’t even imagine as a Mum having to send Mila into that environment, being judged and teased, and not being included. I can absolutely relate to that feeling.
Eleni: I just want to wrap her in bubble wrap and just get them away. It’s the age as well… girls are going through so much and it’s hard for girls to understand. She takes all of it to heart, and she just breaks down and says, ‘No one likes me.’
Fifi: And these are formative years where you want Mila to have confidence and acceptance in herself… and that’s what is so great about our Underdogs team. Not all kids are into sport but having a day where Mila can be part of our team and we’re going to accept her with open arms and she’s going to be with other kids that are on her team! Mila is going to be part of our Underdogs!
Eleni: I just wanted to say we were listening to the radio last year and she heard about the other [kids]… and Mila was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s like me!’ I said, ‘Yeah, there’s so many children out there feeling like you’re feeling. You’re not alone’, but it’s so different when your Mum tells you than when you hear other people talking about it. I just want to thank you guys for doing this – not just for my child but for so many children out there who really need this and deserve to feel included.
Fifi: Mila, we’ve got a very big favour to ask you! Would you please, please be the first member of our Underdogs team?
Mila: I would! Last year I was listening and I really wanted to!
Brendan Fevola: You’re the first person on our team! How exciting. Have you ever been on a team before?
Mila: Yay! No, not really…
Fev: Well, this is the first!
Fifi: And the whole crowd will be cheering for you!
Mila: (cheering) Thank you!
You can listen to Fifi, Fev & Nick on Melbourne’s 101.9 The Fox from 6-9am weekdays and also on LiSTNR. Images supplied.