Indigenous footballers call time on inequality

Last year as we watched the Socceroos celebrate their wins in Qatar, it was disappointing that there was not one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander player on the pitch.

Now, as we’re about to witness one of the biggest opportunities in decades to inspire more female football players with Australia and New Zealand hosting the Women’s World Cup, the spotlight is also on our nation’s Indigenous footballers and the disparity they face.

Like with every World Cup competition, there’s a big focus on the legacy that the games will leave behind. As it stands, Indigenous players are still being left out of the conversation.

Indigenous children should not be cut off from the game.

Can you chip in to help us ensure we use this historical moment to build a legacy?

Our Indigenous players have to fight so much harder to access the same opportunities as non-Indigenous players. Even more so for Indigenous players in remote and regional communities who also experience disadvantage due to severe poverty, low standards of health and education, high unemployment, housing challenges and social unrest.

The profound effect poverty has on Indigenous children’s health and well being is one of the most important social issues facing Australia. Football can be a game changer for these children.

This is our year to change the game for Indigenous players across the country.

Our goal is to expand John Moriarty Football (JMF) and lift the lives of more Indigenous girls and boys, more families and more remote communities. Through football we want to change the lives of a generation of Indigenous kids.

The talent is there, the passion is there, the drive is there. Help us make sure that funding isn’t the only thing getting in the way of giving Indigenous football players equal access to the game.

Let’s change the game in 2023 and leave a lasting legacy that levels the playing field for Indigenous children.

Your donation will help us to:

About John Moriarty Football

John Moriarty Football (JMF), a program by The Moriarty Foundation, delivers Australia’s most successful and longest-running Indigenous football initiative. Everyday JMF delivers to 2,000+ vulnerable girls and boys aged 2-18 years in remote and regional Indigenous communities through football.

We are creating sustainable social change and providing pathways to improved physical and mental health, wellbeing, school attendance and community engagement.

We are breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

JMF has a permanent presence in the 18 remote and regional Indigenous communities we operate in, delivering in-school and after school sessions, school holiday clinics and tournaments 5-6 days a week. Our scholarships program is supporting talented young Indigenous footballers to go further in the game and also in life.

“John Moriarty Football provides avenues to dream.” Craig Foster AM, former Socceroo, Human Rights Activist, 2023 NSW Australian of the Year

JMF was founded in 2012 by Yanyuwa man John Moriarty AM - the first Indigenous footballer to be selected for Australia - and his son James Moriarty to realise John’s long held vision to see a higher number of Aboriginal players follow in his footsteps. John believes football can be a game changer and unlock the potential of Indigenous children, leading to better educational and health outcomes, as it did for him.