How the Indigenous Football Council plans to improve pathways

IFA Council

As Australia’s longest running and most successful Indigenous football initiative for 2–18-year-olds, the John Moriarty Football (JMF) program has been a significant contributor to creating sustainable social change and providing pathways for Indigenous footballers and their communities.

The establishment of the Indigenous Football Australia (IFA) Council has been designed to wholly embrace young Indigenous players, with the Australian Professional Leagues and A-Leagues heavily involved to help facilitate determined change.

As the overarching body overseeing the strategic direction of JMF, the IFA has initiated a council to help create exponential social change through football, expand JMF and ensure more equitable access to the great game of football for grassroots and elite Indigenous players.

The 16-member IFA Council has majority Indigenous membership, and is gender equal, with each member brought onboard to bring their unique, lived experience, skills, aligned values and goals for Indigenous football in Australia. Each is committed to creating tangible, equitable and lasting change.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Soccerscene, IFA Council convenor and JMF Program Director Jamie Morriss discussed the plans and estimated impact of the IFA Council on supporting Indigenous communities around Australia.

Jamie Morriss

What was the process of organising and initiating the Indigenous Football Australia Council like?

Jamie Morriss: We identified strong individuals with a range of skills to support the strategic direction of John Moriarty Football (JMF). We wanted a cross-section of individuals in different professional capacities across media, academia and sport – which includes previous Socceroos and Matildas on the council who we believe are really powerful and can help provide us some fantastic insights and direction for the program moving forward. And obviously Adam Goodes being an Indigenous professional athlete himself, his insight is going to be invaluable to understanding how we can really support players coming through the pathways in our program.

The advisory board includes the likes of APL CEO Danny Townsend, Liberty A-Leagues stars Jada Whyman and Allira Toby, and AFL legend Adam Goodes. How do you feel their experience and knowledge will help to guide the council going forward?

Jamie Morriss: They all bring a fantastic range of experience and knowledge that we can draw on. Obviously, Jada being a current player in and around the Matildas squad means she’s lived and breathed the experience of moving away from home to Sydney for her schooling and to follow her professional pathway in football. This is invaluable because we have scholarship players that we support in Sydney and we hope to grow this initiative and provide more opportunities to Indigenous players from regional and remote areas.

Jada’s lived experience is really important because she’ll be very conscious of what’s needed to be successful in that pathway. Because we know it can be quite difficult to move away from home and not feel as connected to Country and culture and Jada’s definitely someone who can offer support with this.

What is the IFA Council striving for? What is its purpose within football in Australia?

Jamie Morriss: Having expanded our program from two communities in the Northern Territory to 19 of them across three states, our vision is to continue growing and maximising JMF across Australia and providing the benefits to more Indigenous communities.

Eventually we’d like to see the program being offered across each state as a national program. The IFA Council’s purpose is to guide that strategic direction and look at how we can continue to improve the program that we’re currently delivering.

This feels like an overdue step in a positive direction for football in Australia, how is the IFA Council looking to expand on the work done by JMF?

Jamie Morriss: For over a decade, JMF has developed a successful model that uses the power of football to transform the lives of Indigenous children, families and communities. The IFA Council was appointed to help supercharge this success.

The IFA Council members bring expertise across different sections of professional football, media and academia. By leveraging this strength we will be able to expand JMF and also continue to develop all aspects of the program. For instance, having Prof. Gail Garvey – who is a leading Indigenous health researcher – on the IFA Council will hopefully help us improve the health outcomes of our program.

Jamie Morriss IFA

As an expansion to John Moriarty Football, what initiatives will the IFA Council be looking to implement to grow opportunities and create sustainable social change for Indigenous youth and communities?

Jamie Morriss: The main areas the IFA Council will focus on initially is the future growth and sustainability of JMF. They will be providing guidance on measurement and evaluation, new funding streams, strategic partnerships, delivery models, cultural needs of players and best practice delivery.

Another area is considering new regions where JMF could be delivered. Consultation is a really important process as part of how we decide where to deliver our program. We often get calls from different communities, Elders and Traditional Custodians to say that they’d love a program like JMF in their community.

This process obviously takes a lot of decision-making and community consultation which the IFA Council will be able to support. We’re very community-driven so that consultation piece is really important to understand what their needs are and how we tailor our program to suit the community, rather than only providing a generic program.

How has it been seeing the impact of JMF and the IFA on Indigenous communities around Australia?

Jamie Morriss: I’ve been here now for three years and have had the pleasure of being out to the communities that we deliver to and talking closely with community members and key stakeholders. We have an internal measurement and evaluation process in place to make sure we are achieving what the communities would like us to achieve.

In some of the communities we deliver to, before JMF began there were very limited sporting opportunities. For instance, AFL is big in Tennant Creek and many in the community are passionate about the game but that was the only sport that was played until the JMF program started. Now after three years of working with the community and consistently delivering in-school sessions, after school sessions, community events and school holiday clinics – all for free – the game has grown in popularity. Not only that, but schools are seeing an improvement in student attendance and focus, we are providing vital guidance on health & wellbeing, our coaches are role models to the young people and our young players are engaged in a positive and healthy activity.

Local employment is also a really big part of JMF. Some of the communities we deliver the program in have unemployment rates as high as 50 percent. We provide the training to become football coaches with Football Australia coaching accreditations, as well as other professional accreditations and professional development opportunities, including Indigenous Mental Health, First Aid, and Safe Food Handling courses.

When Macarthur FC first entered the A-League they committed to the development of a football academy for Indigenous youths. Unfortunately, it did not come to fruition. Do you see any potential for something similar to be led by JMF and the IFA Council?

Jamie Morriss: I do remember that initiative and I think it was a great vision. JMF has an integrated tiered delivery model.

  • Grassroots: Our grassroots program reaches 2,000+ Indigenous children with a football skills program designed to improve school attendance and achieve resilient, healthier outcomes in remote and regional Indigenous communities.
  • Advanced players: We provide opportunities for advanced players with additional training sessions and tournaments.
  • JMF Scholarships & Pathways: For those showing exceptional talent and dedication to their education we provide scholarship support. This includes school tutoring, placement with a football club plus fees, help with equipment and more.
  • Elite players: Extended support facilitating Institute of Sport, A-Leagues, Matildas, Socceroos and International Club pathways.

With guidance from the IFA Council we will consider each of these tiers, how they may be improved or expanded, all through the lens of the Aboriginal worldview and Closing the Gap targets (of which we are currently achieving proven progress in 13 of the 17 targets).

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Australian Championship set to revolutionise domestic football

Football Australia has unveiled the “Australian Championship,” a groundbreaking new competition that promises to reshape the nation’s football landscape.

Officially launching in October 2025, the Championship will serve as a vital bridge between state-based competitions and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s system, bringing clubs, players, and communities closer together.

This announcement comes on the heels of the October confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format, marking a significant milestone in Australian football.

The Australian Championship will provide a national platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent while fostering stronger connections with fans and communities across the country.

Competition Format and Vision

The Australian Championship will feature 16 teams competing in a dynamic format designed to balance competitive integrity and fan engagement. The competition will include:

Group Stage: Four groups of four teams playing home-and-away fixtures.

Elimination Finals: The top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds.

Grand Final: The inaugural champion to be crowned in December 2025.

This structure highlights Football Australia’s ambition to create an inclusive, exciting, and commercially sustainable competition that celebrates the depth of Australian football talent.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson spoke on the importance of this announcement for the future of Australian football.

“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition,” Johnson said in the press release.

“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”

Founding Clubs and National Representation

The competition will include eight Foundation Clubs with storied histories, such as APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW), representing some of the strongest footballing traditions in the country.

Joining them will be eight Member Federation clubs drawn from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across all states and territories.

This model ensures representation from every corner of the national football community, giving grassroots and state-level clubs an opportunity to compete on a larger stage.

Core Pillars of the Australian Championship

The Australian Championship aims to unite Australian football under the following key values:

Authenticity: Honouring historic clubs, iconic venues, and long-standing rivalries.

Discovery: Showcasing emerging talent and rising stars from across the nation.

Connection: Strengthening ties between grassroots, state competitions, and professional pathways.

Pride and Belonging: Celebrating football’s ability to bring players, fans, and communities together.

A New Era for Australian Football

With its launch, the Australian Championship is set to redefine the country’s domestic football ecosystem, creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and fans. Football Australia’s initiative reflects a commitment to building a thriving national competition while staying true to the rich heritage and passion that underpin Australian football.

As October 2025 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s sporting history.

Tom Sermanni- Leading the Matildas in the Right Direction

In September 2024, former Matilda’s and journeyman coach, Tom Sermanni, was quietly going about his business coaching in the women’s program at Western Sydney Wanderers.

The last thing he expected was to receive an offer from the F.A. to become the interim manager for the Matildas.

However, Sermanni reflected on his previous stints with the Matildas from 1994-97 and 2005-12 with a great sense of pride and didn’t hesitate to accept the offer.

After five months in the job, Sermanni and assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny have methodically restored confidence in the squad after the disappointment of not qualifying for the quarter finals at the Paris Olympics.

It was certainly a far cry from Sermanni’s previous stints in 1994-97 when players weren’t paid and had to cover their own expenses and 2005-12 when contracts were introduced for the players.

Notably, Sermanni is aware of the strong brand the Matildas carry in Australian sport and every time they venture onto the pitch, there is a weight of expectation for them to perform.

In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Tom Sermanni discusses his progress with the Matildas since September 2024 and the general state of the women’s game in Australia.

ROGER SLEEMAN

What was your mindset when you were offered the job after your last stint with the Matildas in 2005-12?

TOM SERMANNI

Surprise was my first reaction as it came completely out of the blue

I’d actually reached the stage where I wasn’t searching for a career but winding down.

However, it was a compliment to be still considered for coaching at this level.

R.S.

How long did it take you to accept the offer?

T.S.

Only a few minutes because it was a no brainer after I contemplated what was involved.

Photo: Kyoko Kurihara – Football Australia

R.S.

Based on the Matilda’s performance at the Paris Olympics, what areas were you going to concentrate on?

T.S.

I was actually at the U.S.A. and Zambia games which was useful and I also knew a number of players in the squad.

Initially, I wanted to maintain stability because when a tournament doesn’t yield results, there are inquisitions and uncertainty.

Therefore, the lack of confidence had to be restored.

R.S.

What has been your main focus since you commenced the position?

T.S.

When we first assembled for the first match in Switzerland, I outlined the expectations for the team and myself.

I wanted to get back to the way Australian teams play on the front foot and to reassure the players there was a lot of ability in the squad , despite the disappointment of the Olympic’s result.

We needed to establish goals for the players to achieve and winning was critical.

Rebuilding belief, confidence and spirit was essential to achieving this outcome.

R.S.

What were your conclusions after the Switzerland and German clashes in October?

T.S.

There were signs of missing confidence and cohesion in the Swiss clash but against Germany it was a great 2-1 victory and defied our 15th ranking in the world standings.

R.S.

Against Brazil, how did you rate the team’s performance?

T.S.

Both games were probably the most brutally physical I’d ever witnessed in the women’s game.

Also ,the Brazilians were very direct and unfortunately in the first game in Sydney, the referee didn’t control the game well enough.

In the second game on the Gold Coast this was rectified somewhat .

Critically, the games were a great benchmark to assess our status with the top five teams in the world.

R.S.

Are we technically adept to match the top teams?

T.S.

If you look at Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler and Kyra- Cooney Cross, we have players who rate technically with the best.

Also, we have players spread across the best Leagues in the world.

Nevertheless, at the development level we need to advance players at a technical level, rather than implementing systems which restrict individual development.

Photo: Kyoko Kurihara – Football Australia

R.S.

Are the senior players performing to their best?

T.S.

I believe in the matches so far they have and are still our most consistent performers.

Don’t forget, despite the Paris Olympics failure, we did qualify for the semi finals of the previous Olympics and the 2023 World Cup.

R.S.

Is it time to blood young players in the squad, and what is your general opinion of the talent scouting process employed to unearth new players?

T.S.

If I’d come in as a new coach for the next campaign, rather than an interim coach, things may have been different.

I emphasise again my role is to instigate stability in an effective way and my successor in a permanent role will decide where the squad will go forward from there.

For me , the role is to plan for the present and the future so it’s a balancing act.

In the modern game it’s difficult because you don’t get enough time with the players who are mainly based overseas.

This is in contrast with my last stint with the Matildas when most of the players were home based so we had complete access to them for local camps .

Importantly, this allowed us to develop players within the team structure.

It’s getting harder to bring in new players because of the time limits you have to work with them.

Obviously, you’re continuing to strengthen your squad by bringing new players in but moving forward the new coach has to reassess the current squad and also be mindful of other players to be given an opportunity to see if they are better than the current players.

Naturally, there will be a turnover of the squad due to ageing of senior players so we have to provide a better way of bringing younger players through.

With the huge increase in playing numbers in women’s football , there should be a lot of new talent coming through the system to be considered for Matilda selection.

Unfortunately ,there hasn’t been an organised plan since the Institutes fell by the wayside and resources aren’t being committed to a cohesive system.

R.S.

How important is Mary Fowler to the squad?

T.S

She is critical because she has that X-factor and those qualities to become a superstar.

Some of the senior players are now at their peak in their late twenties and Mary in her early twenties has the world at her feet to become a world class player.

Along with Ellie Carpenter whose workrate and football awareness are phenomenal, it should be our aim to continue unearthing such talent in the W- League.

R.S.

What is your opinion of the W-League?

T.S.

Unfortunately, it’s not fully professional and it needs more resources to make it the best league it can be because at the moment it’s a development league for domestic players.

However, we need as many young players to be competing in the League and over time it would be ideal for overseas players to come back to the League to contribute to its progress.

However, the League is certainly a great place for supplying national youth team players.

Photo: Kyoko Kurihara – Football Australia

R.S.

Can you tell us more about the She Believes Cup, the Matildas are competing in the U.S. from February 19-27 against U.S.A., Japan and Colombia?

T.S.

It’s a proper, competitive tournament, not a series of friendlies so there is a great incentive to win.

We play the first game and then travel to two other cities to play so there’s limited time for preparation.

Clearly, it’s an important tournament to play serious opposition with different styles on show and for players to maintain their place or for new players to emerge.

R.S.

After your interim role ends, would you like to be still involved with the Matildas in some way?

T.S.

If there was a role for me which was suitable I certainly would take it because I’m really enjoying the current position.

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