International Football Coaching Conference Australia (IFCCA) is pleased to announce Jade North, Allira Toby and Ramone Close as IFCCA panellists for the 2019 event held at RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast on 25 and 26 May this year.
Close, North and Toby will feature on the IFCCA panel, ‘Indigenous Australians in the world game’, discussing how to increase the participation of Indigenous Australians in the world game at all levels.
Former Brisbane Roar defender Jade North has come off successful national and international football careers shifting his attention to giving back to young footballers, reaching out to Indigenous communities across Australia.
Having represented Australia at Under 17, Under 20 and Under 23 level, North is also a 41-time Socceroo and in 2008, he became the first ever Aboriginal Socceroos captain in a match against Singapore.
In 2017, North launched not-for-profit football program called ‘Kickin’ with a Cuz’, focused on promoting life choices for Indigenous children with sustainable pathways.
“I want to raise awareness of Indigenous football, the costs associated with playing football, the low percentage of Indigenous footballers and how we lose them to the other codes,” North said.
“I am excited about IFCCA because it will be a great platform to voice our opinions in front of football-minded people and I hope to share a little bit about my journey as an Indigenous footballer in Australia.”
Current Brisbane Roar W-League player Allira Toby will join Close and North on the IFCCA panel.
After starting her football career with the Ipswich City Bulls in Brassall, Toby also plied her trade with Brisbane clubs Annerley FC and Olympic FC before joining Adelaide United in the Westfield W-League for the 2015/16 season.
Now a regular starter for Mel Andreatta’s side, Toby has scored five goals during the current Westfield W-League campaign.
“Working with my community, giving back and being a positive change is close to my heart, so I’m extremely honoured and excited to be given such a unique opportunity to be a part of IFCCA,” Toby said.
Ramone Close, Australian Indigenous Football Championship Director, is a veteran of the Queensland football scene and is passionate about supporting young Indigenous players rising through the football ranks.
“As an Indigenous football player, which is a minority within Australian football, I’m looking forward to discussing ways we can make Indigenous communities and other community minorities more inclusive of our Australian football game at every level,” Close said.
Please stay tuned with IFCCA to announce another high-profile panellist to join Close, North and Toby on IFCCA’s ‘Indigenous Australians in the world game’ panel.
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