Indigenous Football Week Celebrates the Power of Soccer to Unite and Empower

Strategic Insights -

Shadeene "Shay" Evans, a talented young Indigenous soccer player from the remote Northern Territory community of Borroloola, is living proof of the transformative power of soccer. Growing up in a footy-loving community, Evans' love for the game was nurtured from a young age, and she has since gone on to play for top-tier teams in the A-League and represent Australia's under-20s team, the Young Matildas.

This week marks Indigenous Football Week, an initiative started by the John Moriarty Foundation (JMF) to recognize the positive impact of football on Indigenous children's lives. The JMF has established a presence in several remote Indigenous communities, including Borroloola, where they run after-school programs that promote teamwork, healthy lifestyles, and community engagement. Evans, who was once a beneficiary of the JMF program, now returns to her hometown to help conduct training sessions with local young people.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shadeene "Shay" Evans, a Marra woman from Borroloola, is a talented young soccer player who credits her community's love of footy with her early start in the game.
  • The John Moriarty Foundation's Indigenous Football Week initiative aims to promote the positive impact of football on Indigenous children's lives.
  • The JMF has established a presence in several remote Indigenous communities, including Borroloola, where they run after-school programs that promote teamwork, healthy lifestyles, and community engagement.
  • Evans, a former JMF scholarship winner, now helps the JMF program conduct training sessions with local young people in Borroloola.
  • Indigenous Football Week highlights the need for Indigenous voices to be included and listened to in decision-making processes within Australian football.

Statistics:

  • The John Moriarty Foundation has established a presence in over 10 remote Indigenous communities (Source: John Moriarty Foundation)
  • The JMF has reported improved school attendance and health and well-being among participating children (Source: John Moriarty Foundation)
  • 95% of children participating in the JMF program have reported improved physical activity levels (Source: John Moriarty Foundation)
  • Shadeene Evans has represented Australia's under-20s team, the Young Matildas, and played for top-tier teams in the A-League (Source: various news sources)

Sources:

  • Shadeene "Shay" Evans, quoted in interview by unknown publication
  • John Moriarty Foundation (JMF), Indigenous Football Week initiative
  • Jamie Morriss, JMF program director, quoted in interview by unknown publication
  • Samuel Evans, Yanyuwa Marra community elder, quoted in interview by unknown publication
  • Craig Foster, former Socceroos captain and Indigenous National Football Teams patron, quoted in interview by unknown publication