Football prepares to score goals in Indigenous communities
Football Federation Australia (FFA) will kick off its new Indigenous Football Development Program this month with seven coach mentors set to visit Aboriginal communities around Australia.
Throughout May coach mentors will visit Aboriginal communities around Australia to give children an opportunity to learn some football skills and to promote participation in FFA's inaugural Indigenous Football Development Program.
The mentors include Hyundai A-League players, Travis Dodd (Adelaide United) and Fred Agius (North Queensland Fury), Qantas Futsalroo captain Lachlan Wright, Westfield W-League players Kyah Simon (Central Coast Mariners) and Tanya Oxtoby (Perth Glory). Former Qantas Socceroo Alistair Edwards and media commentator and football analyst Andy Harper, will also be part of the program.
“A dedicated team of coach mentors has been established and will showcase the positive benefits football can bring to young people," said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.
Buckley said the heart of the Indigenous Football Development Program is an annual Indigenous Football Festival to be held in July in Townsville.
“The Indigenous Football Festival is an important component of the program and these visits will also give children an opportunity to express their interest in participating in the Festival.
“The most effective development method is for people to play the game, and any coach will tell you that development is more enduring if there is a sense of purpose,” he said.
Buckley said that the Indigenous Football Festival gives young people from communities something to aspire to participate in each year.
The coach mentors will provide the initial coaching clinics for the 12 communities participating in the Indigenous Football Festival, as well as ongoing mentoring for teachers or individuals managing the teams.
The visits will commence with football training days Moree, Launceston, Shepparton, Alice Springs, Borroloola, Port Augusta, Dubbo and Townsville.
"The aim of the Indigenous Football Development Program is to have at least 5% of players in all national teams and major competitions of Indigenous background and these visits are the first step in making this a reality.
"We encourage all young people in Indigenous communities to attend their local football training day," he said.
Indigenous Football Festival training days
Moree Where: Ron Harborne Oval - Boundary Street, Moree When: Thursday 14 May, 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Launceston Where: Churchill Park - Churchill Park Drive, Launceston When: Sunday 17 May, 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Shepparton Where: Rumbalara Football Club - Mercury Drive, Shepparton When: Sunday 24 May, 11.00am - 1.00pm
Alice Springs Where: Yirara College, Alice Springs When: Thursday 28 May, 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Borroloola Where: Yanyula Oval, Borroloola When: Saturday 30 May, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Port Augusta Where: Braddock Park Oval - Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta When: Saturday 30 May, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Dubbo Where: Lady Cutler Oval - Sandy Beach Road, Dubbo When: Saturday 30 May, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Townsville Where: Brolga Park - Mervyn Crossman Drive, Townsville When: Sunday 31 May, 1.00pm - 3.00pm