Football Queensland (FQ) has lent its support to a new showcase of Indigenous footballing talent and culture that will culminate in an exciting triple-header in Redcliffe on 27 February 2021.
The main action will see the national Indigenous men’s team, the Australian Indigenousroos, and the national Indigenous women’s team, the Australian Indigenous Koalas, take on event hosts Peninsula Power in two exhibition matches at AJ Kelly Park.
FQ has officially endorsed the sanctioned event and will provide match officials for both games, as well as a curtain-raiser involving Peninsula’s Masters team and the South Coast Jummalungs, an Over 35s side from New South Wales.
“Football Queensland is proud to support what will be a great celebration of Indigenous culture and the footballers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who contribute so much to our game,” FQ President Ben Richardson said.
“Our vision is to unite football in Queensland and events like this help bring communities together.
“We were delighted to see so many clubs wearing Indigenous-inspired kits during NAIDOC Week and look forward to watching this event unfold in February.”
The Indigenousroos and Indigenous Koalas teams were first selected following the Australian Indigenous Football Championships in Queensland last year and went on to compete at the 2019 Arafura Games, winning gold and silver respectively.
Past and present National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland players Ramone Close, James Brown and Samara Christmas are among the stars involved with the two squads.
Their matches against Power’s Premiership-winning NPL Men’s side and new NPL Women’s team will bring an end to three days of festivities from 25 – 27 February, including cultural activities, team training sessions and high-profile guest appearances.
Peninsula Power President Craig Feuerriegel said: “Family is at our club’s very foundation and we know family is everything for the First Nations peoples of Australia.
“The offer from Damian Munday, CEO of Queensland Indigenous Football, to host such a special event was a no-brainer.
“We look forward to welcoming Indigenous communities from urban, regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
