Indigenous Football Week® 2024 will be held 23 to 29 September and will unite the football community to recognise the power of football to change the lives of Australia’s most vulnerable children and youth.
Indigenous Football Week (IFW), a John Moriarty Football (JMF) initiative supported by A-Leagues and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), will include the annual Moriarty Cup, Australia’s premier charity football tournament which raises money for the continued delivery of JMF.
Held at Sydney’s iconic Allianz Stadium, the 2024 Moriarty Cup will see 14 teams from some of Australia’s best known companies, including Paramount+, Optus, Stan, Channel Nine, MinterEllison and Charter Hall, play for their chance at football glory while making a difference to the lives of Indigenous children and youth in remote and regional Australia.
The theme for Indigenous Football Week 2024 is ‘Breaking Barriers’. This theme is inspired by the personal journey of JMF’s co-founder and first Indigenous Socceroo, Yanyuwa man John Moriarty. His life was changed by football and education, and they led him out of poverty.
“I love seeing the big smiles on the children’s faces when I visit community and join them on the football oval. Those smiles tell a story of wellbeing, resilience and opportunity. It’s why more children attend school on the days JMF runs its sessions. After our in-curriculum sessions, they concentrate better and show more positive behaviours.
“More engagement with education, and improved mental and physical health – this is the power football has to change lives, just as it changed mine,” said Mr Moriarty.
Matilda, A-Leagues and AIK Fotboll Dam footballer, Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta woman Jada Whyman has been named as 2024 Indigenous Football Week Patron.
“To achieve what I’ve done in football I’ve had to break many barriers. I am honoured to be a role model for JMF’s 2,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in remote and regional Australia. Every day the children in these communities experience many barriers and disadvantages, and the gaps are only getting wider.”
“JMF’s work is so important. Through football it creates life-changing opportunities so Aboriginal children and youth can determine their own futures,” said Ms Whyman.
A-Leagues and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) will support Indigenous Football Week and celebrate with football fans, players and clubs.
A-Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia commented, “The A-Leagues is excited to see another instalment of the Indigenous Football Week, celebrating the ongoing contribution of Indigenous football players to the game. The power of football to influence impactful change is unlike any other and the A-Leagues is proud to support the John Moriarty Foundation.”
PFA Co-Chief Executive and Moriarty Foundation Board Member, Beau Busch said, “We are incredibly proud of JMF’s work in creating pathways for young Indigenous Australians. Its pioneering efforts have helped to improve the lives of many and helped to connect players in remote Australia into the A-Leagues, Australia’s national teams and global football.”
In the lead up to IFW24, JMF secured a training place for Indigenous (Marra) A League footballer and JMF’s inaugural scholarship holder, Shadeene (Shay) Evans with Charlton Athletic Football Club in London.
The opportunity was part of Evans’ pre-season A-League Women’s preparations, having re-signed with Central Coast Mariners, following a stellar NPL season with the Northern Tigers.
“It was fantastic to have the opportunity to train at such a high level with an incredible team. My goal is to continue to push myself and work hard to be the best footballer I can be. To play for an elite women’s club overseas at some stage in my career would be a dream come true.”
“When you come from a community like Borroloola where life can be tough, opportunities like this seem impossible. John Moriarty Football changed my life and now I’m a role model for other Aboriginal kids to show them what’s possible,” added Ms Evans.
IFW24 will also include a special Northern Territory Gala Day in Tennant Creek. A select team of JMF players from Borroloola will travel over nine hours to play against fellow JMF players in Tennant Creek in a friendly match.
“There is little opportunity for competitive football in remote Northern Territory, but the children that attend JMF love football and there is a great deal of talent. Opportunities like this are exciting for the children and also promote JMF’s key pillars of leadership, teamwork, resilience and respect,” said JMF Program Director, Jamie Morriss.
IFW and JMF are delivered by Moriarty Foundation, an Indigenous children’s charity that is building an Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive. Its groundbreaking programs are closing gaps in education, health, wellbeing and employment so Indigenous children can have cultural, social and economic equality.
JMF’s sister program is Indi Kindi, an early learning program for children aged birth to five years which blends a unique Aboriginal approach to pedagogy with the Australian Early Years Learning Framework. Its young graduates are strong in culture, school ready, and have a life-long base for learning.
Indi Footi is a key component of Indi Kindi that activates young brains through movement, and develops basic football and motor skills, balance and coordination in a fun, non-competitive environment.
For more information on IFW24 visit indigenousfootballweek.org.au
For more information on JMF visit jmf.org.au
