The third consecutive National Indigenous Football Championships (NIFC) kicked off last Wednesday 31st October at the South Nowra Football Complex.
Teams travelled from as far as the Northern Territory, Canberra, Dubbo and Western Sydney to compete in Australia’s largest Indigenous football tournament.
The annual tournament hosted by Wreck Bay Sharks FC and supported by Football NSW saw 38 teams compete across the U14s, Women’s and Men’s competitions with over 400 players and coaching staff in total.
“Football NSW is ecstatic to support and assist one of our Indigenous Community…
Football Australia are proud to announce the latest additions to their Legacy ’23 Ambassador Program, naming Azmeena Hussain OAM and Narelda Jacobs in the Final XI.
In the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM, the Legacy ’23 Ambassador Program will play a critical role in raising awareness and advocacy for the variety of important initiatives set out in Football Australia’s Legacy ‘23 Plan.
As trailblazers in their respective fields, Hussain and Jacobs, are true champions for gender equality and cultural inclusion, and will leverage their personal…
Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced a three-year partnership with the Commonwealth Government and John Moriarty Football (JMF) to expand its Indigenous football program to 12 new centres across New South Wales and Queensland.
FFA will provide senior coaching staff, mentoring, training and education for children involved in the program, and will identify and support pathways to national football programs.
FFA Chief Executive David Gallop said he was delighted with the decision to expand the program from the two current sites in the Northern Territory.
Last weekend saw a celebration of Indigenous football with the return of the First Nations Indigenous Football Cup 2022 in Queensland and the NSW First Nations Football Festival.
Football Australia's Chair of National Indigenous Advisory Group, Jade North, attended both carnivals with plenty of talent and passion on show…
Socceroos goalkeeper coach John Crawley believes there are vast reserves of untapped footballing potential in the Northern Territory after a visit immersed in Indigenous football and culture in Australia's Top End earlier this month.
It comes after Crawley joined Joeys Head Coach Trevor Morgan for community visits in Darwin from 29 November - 4 December as part of Football Federation Australia's initiative with John Moriarty Football and Football Northern Territory.
There were record numbers of Indigenous boys and girls playing football in 2020, and Crawley said he was inspired to…
From Karen Menzies to Kyah Simon, Indigenous Australians have made a significant impact on the CommBank Matildas.
There’s a deep irony within the pages of Australian football history.
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While the game was introduced in the 19th century by the same colonial forces that denied early recognition to Australia’s First Nations communities, football also became one of the few sporting spaces where Aboriginal people were accepted – even celebrated – as part of Australian cultural life.
Football Australia’s ambition to make a tangible impact on Reconciliation in Australia has taken positive steps throughout 2021, with the organisation having commenced a clear process of engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In the XI Principles for the future of Australian football, the vision for Australian football to be recognised as a leader in Indigenous sporting programs and the Reconciliation process is outlined, and in the first half of this year several measures have been enacted to kick-off Football Australia’s pursuit of this important target.
Free-flowing attacking football highlighted the second day of the Girls' National Youth Championships as new powerhouses emerged to shake up the competition.Wollongong served up another day of perfect conditions, enabling teams to play highly entertaining football and send the ball forward with plenty of vigour.With just one day remaining group stage fixtures before Semi-Finalists are confirmed, and with teams recording several games under their belt, the quality went up a level with the finish line quickly approaching.NSW Metro leads the Under 14 Group A, having won three from three, while…
Eighteen years ago, on a sunny day in Coffs Harbour, Football NSW and Football QLD were adding yet another chapter to the age-old interstate rivalry during the 2007 edition of the National Youth Championships.As the contest unfolded, two players on opposite sides were locked in an enthralling contest. The heads of selectors were on a swivel and the ball was on a string as the pair fiercely battled against each other to gain the advantage.When the dust finally settled and the full-time whistle was blown, the duo congratulated each other and shook hands, not knowing they were about to become…
The Invitational XI, a team comprised of talented Indigenous players from across Australia, has made its debut at the 2024 National Youth Championships Boys’ Tournament, marking a significant step forward in showcasing First Nations footballing talent. Competing in the Under 16 Age Group, the Invitational XI reflects Football Australia’s commitment to nurturing emerging First Nations footballers and providing them with a platform to display their skills on a national stage. The tournament is taking place from 16-21 July at WIN Stadium, JJ Kelly Park, and Ian McLennan Park in Wollongong,…
As Chair of the Football Australia National Indigenous Advisory Group (NIAG) and on behalf of my NIAG colleagues, I acknowledge Football Australia’s statement today in relation to last night’s Australia Cup 2022 Final between Sydney United 58 FC and Macarthur FC, and the level of noise during the Welcome to Country given by Erin Wilkins and other inappropriate conduct by certain segments of the crowd.
I have been in contact with Football Australia over the course of the day about the incidents at the match last night. I have also taken the opportunity to gather information and speak…
To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2021 and its theme, 'Heal Country,' we sat down with Kyah Simon and Lydia Williams to talk about their connection to Country and how we can heal our nation together.
Proud Noongar woman, Lydia Williams, was born in Katanning, WA, but lived most of her childhood years in Kalgoorlie.
Spending her days going to school, hunting and learning how to live off the land, along with raising two kangaroos meant that Williams always had a deep connection to Country.
"To me, Country is the place you grew up, the place you love and the place where…
“It was a good reminder of the importance that football has in our society and the impact it can have on the lives of people.”
Last week, Westfield Matildas Assistant Coach Mel Andreatta joined a group of FFA National Team staff who experienced first-hand the powerful role football plays in remote Northern Territory communities.
In collaboration with John Moriarty Football (JMF), Andreatta visited a number of rural schools in Alice Springs, Ti-Tree, Tennant Creek, and Alekarenge.
It was there she discovered how football truly influences the …
“Perkins was a champion – a real Ben Hur, smashing his way through Australia’s race politics, and football was his chariot” - Johnny Warren.
Not only was Charles Perkins a fierce advocate and visionary for the rights of Indigenous Australians, he was also an immense pioneer for Australian football.
As Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week 2021, it marks a fitting time to delve into the story of a man whose renowned journey was intertwined with a love for the game of football.
He was a figure who left his mark playing the world game on Australian shores and beyond, …
Today, Football Australia reaffirmed its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, including the Voice to Parliament.
This reinforces Football Australia’s stance as one of the first national sporting bodies to support ‘the Voice’, when on 13 September 2022, it expressed its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, ‘in full’, including the Voice to Parliament. View that announcement here.
James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, said, “As the largest club-based participation sport in the country, we are uniquely placed to play an important and significant role in…
Football Australia and New Zealand Football have received confirmation from FIFA that their request for all official flags of Australia, as well as the official flag of Aotearoa New Zealand and the national Māori flag, to be displayed at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ match day stadia during the upcoming tournament has been granted.
This confirmation by FIFA will see the Australian national flag, the Australian Aboriginal flag, and the Torres Strait Islander flag on display at all 35 tournament matches played across Australia, with the national Māori flag, known as Tino Rangatiratanga, and the…
The Invitational XI, a team composed of talented Indigenous players from across Australia, will return to the 2024 National Youth Championships Girls’ Tournament for a second year, supporting the growth of First Nations footballing talent.This year's team, competing in the Under 15 Girls age group, continues to reflect Football Australia’s commitment to nurturing emerging First Nations footballers and providing them with a platform to showcase their skills on the national stage. The Invitational XI will also be competing during NAIDOC Week (7-14 July), an annual celebration of First Nations…
