Indigenous footballers from across the nation will gather in Southern NSW (Shoalhaven) to compete at the first ever National Indigenous Football Championships, scheduled to be held 3rd-5th November 2016 at the Shoalhaven Sporting Complex, Nowra.
Wreck Bay Sharks FC President and Tournament Director, Bernie McLeod said “the Wreck Bay Football Club are proud to be given the opportunity to host the Inaugural National Indigenous Football Championships. This event has become more than a football tournament it’s been a people’s movement from the Indigenous community, the football fraternity and government”.
“Today we are proud to announce our tournament ambassadors, Sydney FC and Matilda sensation Kyah Simon, Brisbane Roar star and former Socceroo – Jade North, former Indigenous football world cup representative, Harry Williams, former Socceroo and SBS Chief Football Analyst, Craig Foster and former National Soccer League champion and current Foxsports commentator – Andy Harper.
Kyah Simon said “being an Ambassador for the Inaugural National Indigenous Football Tournament is a great honour and I hope to inspire other Aboriginal people to set goals and follow their dreams in a sport that has given me some great opportunities, friendships and experiences”.
“This is a great opportunity for Indigenous people to showcase their talents through football and have them recognised on a larger scale. I hope that we will have more Aboriginal people entering the W-League, A-League, and National Teams in years to come” said Simon.
Jade North said, “I feel privileged to have been asked to be an ambassador and represent my people for what is a great concept. It will give all Indigenous players from across the nation an opportunity to get involved in a large tournament and showcase their talent. There was nothing like this when I was growing up so I will be excited to see all my people come together”.
Harry Williams said “I’m honoured and privileged to be an Ambassador for the National Indigenous Football Championships. To finally have a national football competition to select an Australian Indigenous representative men and women teams to develop nationally and compete internationally will be a dream come true”.
Craig Foster said “I’m delighted to support this tournament as part of growing the game among Indigenous communities all over Australia and look forward to seeing an enjoyable and highly competitive week of football”.
Andy Harper said “this event will provide Indigenous people a special platform for making dreams come true – not only to represent your family and community but an opportunity to be selected into representative teams”.
Wreck Bay Sharks FC are also proud to announce The Johnny Warren Foundation as event partners. Jamie Warren, Foundation Chairman said “we are very honoured and proud to work with the Wreck Bay Sharks FC and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander football communities and thank Bernie McLeod and his team for the opportunity. We look forward to playing our part in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander playing talent is given every opportunity to succeed just as Johnny Warren would have wanted”.
