- increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in football, with a particular focus on children and youth;
- assist in identifying talented young players for further development;
- contribute to achieving improved health, social and economic outcomes for young Indigenous people.
The Indigenous Football Development Program involves the following components:
- an annual Indigenous Football Festival
- the delivery of an introductory ‘football package’ to targeted Indigenous communities
- recruitment of Indigenous Football Development Officers
- an annual scholarship program for potential elite players to further their playing career and education in specific schools, TAFE colleges or universities
- the establishment of social support networks to nurture talented players who leave their family and communities to further their football career.
Over time, the Indigenous Football Development Program would also enhance the seamless integration of talented young Indigenous players into existing competition and talented player pathways.
Key Performance Indicators
Year-on-year
- Increase in number of Indigenous football players
- Increase in football activity in Indigenous communities
By 2018
- 5% of A-League and W-League players to have Indigenous heritage
- 5% of the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad to have Indigenous heritage.
Strategies to achieve these objectives include:
- Providing young people with the opportunity to play small-sided (and other) football within and outside their community
- Giving adults (and youth) the chance to participate in Grassroots Coaching (and other) coach education courses
- Giving adults (and youth) the chance to participate in refereeing courses
- Talented players being identified and being able to compete in other football competitions and be exposed to ongoing development
- Facilitating access to Indigenous and other football ‘heroes’
- Continually expanding the program to more places within each State and Territory, reaching more children and adults from indigenous communities
- Providing follow-up programs/resources to participants so that their involvement becomes sustainable
- Equipping adults with the skills and confidence to deliver football amongst their own community, again leading to greater sustainability
