“Seeing the children have fun and thriving in what they do, it gives me hope I am doing something right.” — Tiffany Stanley, Wiradjuri Woman & JMF Community Coach
Moriarty Foundation has released a powerful new short documentary highlighting the transformative impact of John Moriarty Football (JMF) through the authentic community perspective of JMF Dubbo Community Coach, Wiradjuri woman Tiffany Stanley.
Since 2019, Tiffany has served as a role model for the young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth she mentors. Through her perspective, we see how JMF uses the power of football to positively engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (aged 2 to 18), creating groundbreaking impacts on health, education, wellbeing, and connection to Country.
Fostering belonging
In the video Tiffany shares how JMF creates culturally safe and inclusive spaces where children build resilience, strong identity, and a deep sense of belonging.
“I believe in making them feel like they belong—making people feel like they belong is making them feel like they are being heard, they have a voice”, Tiffany explains.
Tiffany emphasises the importance of cultural connection. Having a coaching team built on local Aboriginal leadership, where 74% of JMF community coaches are Indigenous, builds trust and ensures children feel supported and strong in their connection to community, culture, and Country.
JMF is also driving proactive gender equality in sport, with 47% female participation and a coaching staff that is 50% female, fostering a culture of mutual respect that extends far beyond the game.
Supporting school attendance and healthy futures
Through Tiffany’s experience we see how JMF is having a transformational impact on school attendance. Delivered within the curriculum of 16 public schools across NT, NSW and Qld, independent research from Deloitte Access Economics shows on the days JMF is offered, children are attending 1-2 more days of school, Additionally, 72% of participants report they feel more excited to attend school on JMF days.
“The energy with the kids saying YES I have JMF today I get to play football, I get a little bit happy because a part of that is from me”, Tiffany says.
Tiffany also explains how JMF helps to establish healthy eating and exercise habits early, with wellbeing messaging embedded into every session. For instance, participants are taught self-regulation techniques and how to fuel their bodies with nutritious healthy food choices.
Creating pathways
Through its Scholarships program, JMF connects children with the wider football ecosystem, providing financial support, mentorship, and access to elite football opportunities.
Tiffany has seen this impact firsthand with scholarship holder Miley Shipp (Wiradjuri), who has had opportunities to play in Spain and Malaysia.
“With the help of JMF, I do believe she has gotten to where she has because of the support of the coaches, her family, and her dedication,” says Tiffany.
By centering community leadership, the Aboriginal worldview, and wraparound support, JMF demonstrates how local engagement creates lasting, transformative impact. Stories like Coach Tiffany’s highlight how JMF goes beyond the game—fostering resilience, strengthening connection to Country, and unlocking educational and sporting pathways so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth can thrive and determine their own futures.
These projects take a village to create. Special thanks to filmmaker Michael Gupta for bringing this story to life, Tiffany and the JMF coaching team, Tiffany’s family, the JMF participants who took part, JMF Scholarship Holder Miley Shipp, Assistant Principal at Dubbo West Primary School Lea O’Keefe and Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer for Aboriginal Education Office Kevin Shipp.
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