Football Queensland has confirmed its intention to establish an FQ Indigenous Advisory Group to strengthen the game’s engagement with Indigenous communities across the state. 

Today’s announcement follows Football Australia’s formation of the National Indigenous Advisory Group and the launch of its Reconciliation Action Plan earlier this year. 

“Indigenous Australians have made significant contributions to football throughout Queensland at all levels of the game, with members of Australia’s First Nations communities currently representing 4% of our total participation base,” FQ President Ben Richardson said. 

“Football Queensland is committed to strengthening the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of our game, and we are hopeful that the establishment of an FQ Indigenous Advisory Group will help guide our engagement with Indigenous communities across all parts of the state moving forward.” 

“NAIDOC Week has provided a wonderful opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Indigenous Australians within football here in Queensland,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said. 

“Following NAIDOC Week celebrations, however, it is crucial that we work hard as an organisation and as a game to ensure we are continuing to drive the engagement, involvement and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples. 

“We look forward to working towards the establishment of an FQ Indigenous Advisory Group to strengthen our engagement with First Nations communities and provide more opportunities for Indigenous Australians to be part of our beautiful game.” 

“Our vision as defined in the XI Principles for the future of Australian football is to be recognised as a leader in Indigenous sporting programs and a conduit to the reconciliation process with First Nations peoples,” Football Australia General Manager – First Nations Courtney Hagen said. 

“Football Australia welcomes Football Queensland’s intention to establish an FQ Indigenous Advisory Group as an exciting next step for the football community. 

“We intend to be working closely with all nine Member Federations to establish Indigenous Advisory Groups with a formal link to the National Indigenous Advisory Group as we near closer to the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2023.”