Glory forward David Williams is playing a key role in promoting Indigenous Football Week (IFW), a John Moriarty Football (JMF) initiative, in partnership with with A-Leagues and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA).
The event is being celebrated this week across the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Liberty A-League Women, as well as in JMF communities and schools across NT, NSW and Queensland.Â
As a displaced child of the Stolen Generations, JMF co-founder/co-chair and the first Aboriginal footballer selected for Australia, Yanyuwa man John Moriarty AM found acceptance in the football community.
At a time when Australia had not yet enacted the 1967 Referendum to give Aboriginal people citizenship, Australia’s football community warmly welcomed John with his skills, speed and character.Â
At the heart of JMF is li-ngambala wiji, which in John Moriarty’s Yanyuwa language means community.
JMF’s pathways from grassroots to elite football begin at the community level, by supporting talented young Indigenous footballers within their own communities to develop their football skills and do well at school.Â
“We draw on the cultural strengths of our local coaches and community advisory groups, made up of local elders, Traditional Owners and community members,” said Mr Moriarty.
“JMF is all about self-determination to address the extreme social disadvantage and barriers to football opportunity that Indigenous players face in many remote and regional communities across Australia.”
Prominent Indigenous footballer and former Socceroo Williams, meanwhile, is the 2023 Indigenous Football Week Patron.
“Being Patron for IFW23 is a huge honour,” he said.
“As one of the few professional Indigenous footballers in Australia, I believe it’s important to be a role model and help create pathways for young Indigenous players, particularly those from the bush.
“The work John Moriarty Football does is inspirational and I’m proud to be involved.”
For the third year IFW will be run in partnership with A-Leagues.
Each A-League match will include a Welcome to Country ceremony, a celebration of Indigenous culture and the opportunity for fans to celebrate and donate to further the work of JMF.
IFW and JMF are delivered by Moriarty Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides successful Indigenous program solutions through resilient local engagement.
Its underpinning community-driven framework is based on improved wellbeing and strong protective relationships for the staff, children and families it works with.Â
JMF’s sister program is Indi Kindi, an early learning program for the under-fives and their families to improve the global readiness of Aboriginal children entering pre-school and school.
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 IFW23 visit www.indigenousfootballweek.org.au
For more information on JMF visit www.jmf.org.auÂ
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