BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The Indigenous Football Australia Council has urged FIFA to address what it calls an “egregious omission” of First Nations-led organizations in a Women’s World Cup legacy plan.
Former Sydney Swans Australian rules football star Adam Goodes and John Moriarty, the first Indigenous player selected for Australia’s national soccer team, were among the signatories to a letter sent to soccer’s world governing body regarding legacy funding from the 2023 World Cup.
Football Australia’s Legacy ’23 strategy aims to deliver economic, social and health benefits and multicultural inclusion following its co-hosting of the global tournament with New Zealand.
But the IFA Council said while the legacy report report acknowledged First Nations contributors, it didn't commit specific funding for programs that are led and managed by Indigenous people.
“Despite ubiquitous Indigenous culture, symbolism, traditional ceremonies and installations at the World Cup and the holding out of Indigenous culture as something of central value to football, not a single dollar from the legacy program has been committed to organizations that are Indigenous-led,” the letter said. “Without support for the Indigenous community and their programs, we consider this symbolism empty.”
The letter was also signed by Sydney FC goalkeeper Jada Whyman, an Indigenous player who was called into Matildas camp in April for games against England and Scotland, former Matildas player and now union representative Kate Gill, A-League women’s players Gema Simon and Allira Toby and former Socceroo Travis Dodd.
It was was addressed to FIFA's president Gianni Infantino, secretary-general Fatma Samoura, and head of women's football Sarai Bareman, as well as Football Australia and the sports minister.
FIFA on Wednesday said Bareman, who is New Zealand-born and of Samoan and Dutch heritage, responded by letter to the IFA Council and her work is ongoing with the soccer federations in both countries on legacy and grassroots programs.
Among other initiatives for this World Cup, FIFA has used traditional place names along with common-use names for all competition venues in Australia and New Zealand, and is running a “Unite for Indigenous Peoples” campaign.
Ahead of the tournament, Samoura said the World Cup provided a platform to give opportunities to all people, and officials needed to highlight issues for First Nations people in Australia and New Zealand.
“Because you cannot play the simple game of football by leaving outside the people without whom this nation would not have existed,” Samoura said during a visit with Indigenous players. “We cannot come and just play and leave.”
Steph Catley, who is leading the Matildas while star striker Sam Kerr is injured, told a news conference ahead of Group B match against Nigeria that she wasn't aware of the specifics raised in the letter to FIFA “but obviously it’s an important part of grassroots football.”
“If there’s funding it should absolutely be given in that direction,” Catley said. “It’s something our team is very passionate about.”
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams and striker Kyah Simon are Indigenous players on the Matildas' World Cup roster and have spoken about their different pathways to the national team.
Many of the Matildas players have highlighted Cathy Freeman's gold-medal win in the 400 meters at the Sydney 2000 Olympics as their sporting inspiration. To add a little more, Freeman, the first Indigenous athlete from Australia to win an individual Olympic gold, visited the Australian women's team ahead of the tournament.
Football Australia said support and advancement of Indigenous football programs were integral parts of the sport’s national commitment, supported by its National Indigenous Advisory Group.
“With their deep understanding of Indigenous culture, history, and aspirations, they have played a crucial role in shaping our approach to Indigenous football development,” Football Australia said in a statement. “Their expertise and unwavering commitment have ensured that First Nations voices are heard and respected"
Separately, the IFA Council, formed to assist the John Moriarty Football program, is also calling on FIFA and Football Australia to include funding for First Nations-led programs in the Legacy ’23 plan before the end of the Women's World Cup.
The John Moriarty Foundation, which runs programs in remote Aboriginal communitie s and offers support for potential future stars, has also launched a crowd-funding campaign “ Call Time on Inequality ” to address the lack of elite level Indigenous players.
“Now is the time to level the playing field by reaching even more children, more communities and empowering the next generation of Indigenous football players,” Moriarty said. “There needs to be increased investment in solutions that will lead to impactful social change and ensure equal access to football for both grassroots and elite Indigenous players.”
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John Pye, The Associated Press
