The transformational impact of John Moriarty Football (JMF) on the lives of vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can be clearly seen in new research from Deloitte Access Economics released for Indigenous Football Week® 2025.
The theme for this year’s Indigenous Football Week (IFW), 22 to 28 September, is transformation – which is what JMF has been about since the first IFW in 2016, as an Aboriginal-designed and led youth program targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island kids in rural and remote communities.
To help mark the occasion, JMF has released new research from Deloitte Access Economics that highlights the transformational impact of the program for young people, improving school attendance and wellbeing.
A key finding is that 72% of students are excited to attend school when JMF sessions are offered, leading to students attending 1-2 days extra each week where previously they had been absent.
John Moriarty, JMF Co-Founder and the first Aboriginal footballer to be selected to play for Australia, said, “Just like football changed the trajectory of my life, we designed JMF to positively influence the education, health and wellbeing of Indigenous children and now we have independent proof that it’s working and making a lasting impact.”
“JMF has the capacity to transform lives by creating ripples of change that start with ‘a child, a football, a dream’, and flow outwards to impact families, communities and the nation, creating opportunity and unlocking potential.”
From a pilot program in Borroloola with 120 children almost a decade ago, JMF now reaches more than 5,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children annually in 15 public schools in 17 remote and regional communities in NT, Qld and NSW.
Deloitte Access Economics Partner, Lachlan Smirl, said, “JMF has been highly effective in engaging young people in some of the most complex communities in Australia where disengagement is typically high.”
“It’s elevating student pathways for academic success, creating employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coaches, and it’s helping to create more long-term stability in communities.”
Former A-Leagues player and JMF Ambassador, Allira Toby (Kanolu/Gangulu), said, “Being a holistic program, JMF is positively impacting 10 of the Closing the Gap targets, at a time when national progress towards these targets is going backwards. We are making vital impacts in areas like education, health, employment, digital inclusion, mental health and youth justice.”
“An impact the Deloitte Access Economics research highlights, that I’m very proud of, is how JMF inspires girls and women to engage with football, especially those in remote communities who typically have low engagement with sport.”
“JMF creates safe spaces for girls and women to participate in football and we are proactive about gender equality. The results speak for themselves as 60 per cent of our participants are girls and 43 per cent of our coaches are women.”
“In the disadvantaged communities we deliver in, the social impacts for this can be far reaching, for instance, positively impacting family violence prevention as JMF creates a culture of respect.”
Former Socceroo, Travis Dodd (Ngarrindjeri/Narrrunga/Kaurna) and former Matildas Captain and Co-Chief Executive of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), Kate Gill have been named as 2025 Indigenous Football Week Patrons. Mr Dodd and Ms Gill are both Council members for Indigenous Football Australia®.
Ms Gill commented, “Throughout my career as both an elite athlete and PFA executive, I’ve witnessed sport’s unique power to drive systemic change. I’m honoured to be a Patron for Indigenous Football Week 2025 and celebrate the theme of transformation.
What sets JMF apart is its evidence-based approach to creating lasting change. The program’s commitment to gender equality particularly resonates with me. By employing 46% female coaches and having 60% female participants create culturally safe spaces where girls thrive, JMF is challenging gender norms and building respectful relationships that extend far beyond the football pitch.
This is sport at its most powerful – not just as a game, but as a vehicle for transformation – breaking intergenerational cycles of vulnerability through community-owned solutions that span generations.”
Mr Dodd added, “To be a IFW25 Patron and highlight how JMF is doing so much good for Indigenous children that don’t always get a fair go, is a huge honour.
I know first hand how sport can transform the lives of kids and give them something positive to focus on, teaching them important life skills like teamwork, respect and leadership. JMF does this and so much more, delivering in remote and regional communities where Indigenous children are most at risk.”
JMF’s industry supporters include PFA and A Leagues.
PFA Co-Chief Executive and Moriarty Foundation Board Member, Beau Busch said, “Indigenous Football Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the impact of JMF but also to reflect on the role Australian football is currently playing in supporting and enhancing the lives of First Nations peoples.
“Through First Nations led and developed programs, JMF has illustrated the power of football to be a genuine force of positive social impact. The broader industry needs to match this commitment and that starts with listening and respecting the voices of Indigenous peoples to shape a better future. The PFA is honoured to be able to support the ongoing efforts of JMF.”
Learn more about the research on the impact of JMF
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