Football NSW and Northern NSW Football will participate in the inaugural NAIDOC Cup on Wednesday 6th July, scheduled to take place on Awabakal land at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
Coinciding with NAIDOC Week 2022, the tournament will feature First Nations male and female footballers aged 14-16 years, as well as coaches, participating in celebration of First Nations’ communities, culture, and football.
Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge spoke of the importance the NAIDOC Cup would play in Football NSW’s plans to increase opportunities for First Nations’ participants.
“This is an exciting initiative that will honour and respect our Indigenous football community, while establishing a high-profile event that can inspire First Nations’ youth across NSW,” he said.
“We have many talented Indigenous football stars that I am sure will represent NSW with pride at the inaugural event.”
Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland was equally pleased to see the birth of the NAIDOC Cup, and the significant opportunities it presented the Indigenous community.
“The Cup together with the RTC Group NNSWF Talented Indigenous Scholarships are about connecting with the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage,” said Eland.
“We want more football opportunities for First Nations communities, and this is a chance to identify and showcase the next generation of coaches and players.”
NSW First Nations Football Festival (formerly known as the National Indigenous Football Championships) founder, Football NSW Indigenous Advisory Group Chair and proud Yuin-Monaro man Bernie McLeod was looking forward to the memorable event.
“This event will spearhead and promote our proud people with the aim of bringing together all our communities whilst playing and engaging with the World Game.
“The inaugural NAIDOC Cup will further promote our history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to all Australians, and I cannot wait to be a part of it.”
The event will be run as a partnership between both football Member Federations which has been driven by Northern NSW Football’s Indigenous Reference Group and Football NSW’s Indigenous Advisory Group.
Reference Group member and Kamilaroi man, Mick Hugo who lives on Awabakal land saw this as an opportunity to further project the First Nations people’s voice.
“Working with NNSWF allows First Nations people a voice and to be represented and the needs of our communities understood. We are thrilled by the tangible impact this will have for our youth and coaches in terms of furthering their football journeys and connection with culture.”
Keep your eyes peeled on the NAIDOC Cup Logo coming soon.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Football NSW is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from First Nations players and coaches.
NSW First Nations female and male players aged between 14-16 interested in representing NSW please follow link and complete the EOI form.
NSW First Nations coaches interested in participating please follow the link and complete the EOI form.