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Kicking goals for Indigenous youth


17 April 2021 at 12:00 pm
Luke Michael
A beloved Indigenous soccer program is being expanded to help over 3,600 Indigenous school-aged children each week


Luke Michael | 17 April 2021 at 12:00 pm


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Kicking goals for Indigenous youth
17 April 2021 at 12:00 pm

A beloved Indigenous soccer program is being expanded to help over 3,600 Indigenous school-aged children each week

More Indigenous children are set to get a kick out of playing soccer, with a new national body being formed to help expand Australia’s most successful and longest-running Indigenous soccer initiative.

The launch of Indigenous Football Australia (IFA) will allow the John Moriarty Football (JMF) initiative to reach every Australian state and support thousands more Indigenous children. 

JMF is a program for six to 18 year olds that uses soccer as a gateway to help improve school attendance and achieve resilient, healthier outcomes in Indigenous communities.

The national expansion of JMF will help the program support over 3,600 Indigenous school-aged children each week with its football and wellbeing program in 36 regional and remote Indigenous communities throughout Australia. 

This expansion will also increase JMF’s partnerships with public schools in remote and regional Indigenous communities, and create new jobs for around 70 Indigenous people.

JMF co-chairs John Moriarty AM and Ros Moriarty launched IFA at an event hosted by Manly United Football Club on Tuesday.

They also announced a major partnership between UNICEF Australia and Moriarty Foundation to further drive JMF’s impact and community-driven advocacy. 

John Moriarty said he was pleased to make these major announcements.  

“IFA’s aim is to extend our platform even further to bring the benefits of John Moriarty Football to Indigenous children, families and communities right across Australia,” Moriarty said.

“Our partnership with UNICEF Australia will amplify our impacts exponentially.

“We are very proud to be launching IFA and this nationwide expansion of JMF that will create more Indigenous-driven pathways and opportunities for our children, families and communities.” 

UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart said the organisation was proud to support the work of JMF.

“UNICEF Australia and the Moriarty Foundation are united in our belief that all Australian children should have an equal opportunity to realise their developmental potential,” Stuart said.

“After almost 10 years of incredible success and sustainable social impact, now is the time to expand JMF throughout Australia, supported by Indigenous Football Australia and its council members.” 

You can find out more about IFA here


Luke Michael  |  Journalist  |  @luke_michael96

Luke Michael is a journalist at Pro Bono News covering the social sector.


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One comment

  • Phillip Kelly says:

    This is GOLD l watched this today on T.V and with these caring Australians promoting the wellbeing of our indigenous kids and the girl who plays for Australia was so so nice as a parent of indigenous kids who play soccer in Wodonga Victoria and the John Moriarty Foundation reaching out to all indigenous kids to give them the opportunity the education and this to promote there wellbeing is fabulous what else can l say but that it’s a wonderful way to let these kids and there families know there are REAL CARING LOVING people that care thank you John Moriarty Foundation and UNICEF well done.
    The Kelly Family


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