The theme for Indigenous Football Week 2020 is “Pathways” and focuses on the pathways John Moriarty Football is creating and how it is changing the game.

Football has the power to create pathways to improved physical and mental health, wellbeing, education and community engagement. Every aspect of the JMF program seeks to build pathways and unlock the potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.

The theme also shines a light on the JMF Scholarships & Pathways Program. This initiative provides a life-changing pathway for talented young footballers aged 10-18 years in our grassroots JMF program who show exceptional sporting ability and a desire to work hard at school.

During Indigenous Football Week JMF is launching its new Community Scholarships Pathways Program. This game-changing program is designed to develop talent and foster positive change, including improved school attendance and more resilient, healthier outcomes for players, their parents and communities.

The new program provides scholarships to selected athletes within their communities with one-on-one tutoring and mentorship, equipment and stationery for school, a placement with a JMF-partnered football club in the area, football equipment and travel support.

We are pleased to have Shadeene Evans and Jada Whyman as IFW20 Ambassadors.

Shadeene (Shay) Evans is JMF’s inaugural Scholarship Holder. Shay has played two seasons for Sydney FC in the W-League. In 2018 she was selected as a Young Matilda, was named vice-captain in October 2019 and in March 2020 was named Role Model of the Year by FFA. Shay will be attending the JMF Tennant Creek Gala Day on Saturday, 14 November.

Jada Whyman is the starting goalkeeper for Sydney FC’s W-League team and a Matilda squad member. Born and bred in Wagga Wagga in the New South Wales Riverina, she is a descendent of the Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta people. Jada will be attending the JMF Dubbo Gala Day on Saturday, 14 November.