Framing the Benefits of John Moriarty Football

Research from Deloitte Access Economics has found John Moriarty Football (JMF) is transforming the lives of vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

According to Deloitte Access Economics, JMF provides positive, locally-led pathways to improved outcomes for Closing the Gap across education, wellbeing, physical health and employment.

A key research finding was the impacts on school attendance and engagement. The research found that JMF supports increased school attendance and engagement, with students attending 1-2 additional days of school as a result of JMF, where previously they had been absent.

The research highlighted how JMF’s child-focused and community-led model enables child-level impacts to flow through to families, coaches, school, communities and intergenerationally, supporting broader shifts in social outcomes for communities.

Through the vehicle of locally delivered football programs, JMF creates safe and engaging spaces in vulnerable communities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, supporting improved outcomes in education, health, wellbeing and employment.

JMF improves life expectancy outcomes by positively influencing physical activity levels and health literacy. In addition, the program positively impacts emotional self-regulation and wellbeing, leading to improved educational and mental health outcomes.

A focus on local employment and capacity building is creating career pathways for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by removing barriers to employment. JMF provides employment opportunities for young adults to develop valuable skills and experience.