Wrap up of Indigenous Football Week 2024

Thank you to everyone involved in Indigenous Football Week® 2024 (IFW24). This year’s theme was ‘Breaking Barriers’, inspired by the personal journey of John Moriarty Football‘s co-founder and first Indigenous Socceroo, Yanyuwa man John Moriarty, whose life was changed by football and education.

Thank you to our IFW24 Patron Jada Whyman for being an incredible role model to our 2,000+ young Indigenous footballers in our 18 remote and regional communities.

To celebrate IFW24, John Moriarty Football (JMF) hosted its annual Moriarty Cup in Sydney and held football gala days in Dubbo, Tennant Creek and Kuranda.

This year a record number of competitors took part in the Moriarty Cup at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, representing Amplify Procurement, Nine Network, Charter Hall, CIVIC Group, Eastern Suburbs Football Association, GPT Group, MinterEllison, Murrina Group, Optus, Paramount+, Stan, Venues NSW and JMF.

Congratulations to this year’s champions, Eastern Suburbs Football Association, who played against Optus in the final to win the Moriarty Cup trophy.

Thank you to all players and those involved in the day. Funds raised from the day will support the continued delivery of JMF and harness the power of football to change the lives of Australia’s most vulnerable children and youth.

A special congratulations to JMF Inaugural Scholarship Holder and current A-Leagues player, Marra woman Shadeene (Shay) Evans. With the support of JMF, Shay travelled to the UK for a training immersion with elite football club, Charlton Athletic.

Jemma White, Head of Women’s Football at Charlton Athletic Football Club, said: “Having Shadeene Evans join us for this training period has been a true pleasure. Her talent and determination are evident, and we’re excited to see her growth within our professional environment. Shadeene’s journey through Moriarty Foundation is an inspiring example of how giving people the right opportunities can help them to excel and we are grateful to be a small part of Shadeene’s journey.”

In Dubbo, IFW24 was celebrated with a football gala day in Barden Park Athletics Complex. A total of 125 players in 11 teams, made up of JMF players and players from local clubs Macquarie United, Wellington Warriors and Dubbo Bulls, competed across three different age brackets. Congratulations to the JMF teams who came out on top in the 7-9 and 10-12 age brackets.

In the Northern Territory, JMF’s Borroloola Select team traveled more than nine hours to play against JMF’s Select team in Tennant Creek. 26 kids played across 4 teams throughout the day coached by JMF coaches and mentors. After a penalty shootout between one of the Tennant and Borroloola teams, the team from Tennant took the trophy.

In Kuranda, JMF hosted a day of football with 9 of the JMF select team and players from Kuranda Rangers and Edge Hill Tigers. Teams enjoyed playing some 9-a-side games and celebrating JMF values.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the three gala day events across our hubs.