Indigenous Football Festival

LOCAL football players and supporters are excited about the upcoming four-day festival of Indigenous football to be hosted by the Maroochydore Football Club from March 2–6.

A highlight of the Sunshine Coast Indigenous Football Festival will be exhibition matches with the Australian Indigenousroos and the Australian Indigenous Koalas both up against Sunshine Coast Allstars rep teams on Saturday, March 5.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson is urging everyone to own their piece of history by heading to the event.

“With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and now the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 firmly placed on the calendar, the Sunshine Coast is keen to host major events such as the Sunshine Coast Festival of Indigenous Football,” Mr Jamieson said.

Indigenous Football ambassador and patron Craig Foster said it was wonderful to see the Matildas promote the Aboriginal flag at the recent Olympics in the Spirit of Reconciliation.

“Our fellow Indigenous people need to be front and centre of everything we do,” Mr Foster said.

High-profile former Socceroos Frank Farina and Travis Dodd will once again spearhead the Indigenousroos and Indigenous Koalas national teams, taking on the head coaching roles respectively.

“While preparation is always short, I know that the boys will come together and put on a great show for the people of the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Farina said.

Mr Dodd said it was always special to see Indigenous women represented at the elite level and given the opportunity to represent their country and their community.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the organisation was delighted to support the March event.

“It will be a fantastic showcase of Indigenous and local Sunshine Coast football talent,” Mr Cavallucci said.

“Football is the game of choice for all for life and events like this one provide valuable opportunities to unite our game through a celebration of culture and community.”

The action at Maroochydore Football Club from March 2-6 will include official receptions, football clinics and a showcase of culture and family through the ‘world game’.

Main image: Jean Pateman, Secretary of Maroochydore Football Club, Andy Allen, General Manager Football Queensland FC, Mark Jamieson, Mayor Sunshine Coast Council, General Manager Football Queensland FC, Damian Munday, CEO Queensland Indigenous Football and Linda Alberts, Director Sunshine Coast Goannas FC