High profile senior footballing delegates and Indigenous leaders come together to ignite an Indigenous football flame in Darwin to put their weight behind Indigenous participation at the 2019 Arafura Games.
鈥淭he Arafura Games is a fantastic opportunity for the Australian Indigenousroos and the Australian Indigenous Koalas to play internationals against neighbouring countries to show-case football and the world game up the top end鈥 said David Gallop, FFA chief executive officer.
Gallop said: 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see first-hand our male and female Indigenous footballers play at the Darwin Football Stadium, Larakia Park and I look forward to meeting with Indigenous leaders during my visit to the Northern Territory.鈥
FFA chairman Chris Nikou said: 鈥淲e need to ensure the most participated game in the country 鈥榯he world game鈥 works hard to support aspiring Indigenous footballers in regional and remote communities across the country.鈥
鈥淥ur strategy is to work side-by-side with the Indigenous communities to nurture, support and create a real pathway for Indigenous football talent鈥 said Bruce Stalder, CEO Football Northern Territory.
Stalder said: 鈥淭o have the Australian Indigenous teams playing their internationals is such a buzz for all Territorians.鈥
National Indigenous Football Director Lawrence Gilbert said: 鈥淭he Australian Indigenous teams will gain much-needed footballing experience in preparation for future internationals abroad.
鈥淔ootball Northern Territory, alongside with the Johnny Warren Football Foundation (JWFF), have been a leading advocate for Indigenous football across the nation鈥.
Jamie Warren, Chairman of the JWFF, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 simple 鈥 some of our best athletes are Indigenous so why wouldn鈥檛 we support them to enjoy what our code has to offer 鈥 this is something Johnny Warren was very passionate about.鈥
The 2019 Arafura Games run from 26 April 2019 to 4 May 2019 at the Darwin Football Stadium, Marrara Sporting Complex.
Passionate football fans will marvel at the spectacle and grace of teams competing. The beautiful game is simple, exciting and as one of the world鈥檚 most popular sports will feature the most countries out of all the sports at the Games.
