Today, Football Australia reaffirmed its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, including the Voice to Parliament.
This reinforces Football Australia’s stance as one of the first national sporting bodies to support ‘the Voice’, when on 13 September 2022, it expressed its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, ‘in full’, including the Voice to Parliament. View that announcement
James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, said, “As the largest club-based participation sport in the country, we are uniquely placed to play an important and significant role in Australia’s reconciliation journey.”
“Since its establishment, our ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Indigenous Advisory Group (NIAG) have been instrumental in guiding Football Australia through key milestones, including our support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, as we bring to life our commitment to being recognised as a leader in embedding respect and recognition First Nations voices and traditions.”
Football Australia NIAG co-chair, Jade North, said: “It’s in our DNA as Australian football, we can’t continue to discuss football and the advancement of rights for our peoples without acknowledging the ongoing and modern-day legacy of Charlie Perkins.”
Dr Charles Nelson Perrurle Perkins AO (1936-2000) was from the Arrenrnte and Kalkadoon people, a member of the Stolen Generation and a strong civil rights activist. He played for Adelaide Croatia, Pan Hellenic in Sydney and was a ‘first pick’ for the South Australian state squad.
As per the University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre historical records: “In 1965, as a student at the University of Sydney, Dr Perkins organised a student bus tour around New South Wales to draw attention to the state of Indigenous health, education and housing, and to try and stimulate local action. This was called the Freedom ride, and it highlighted the state of race relations in Australia. It is recognised as one of Australia’s most significant civil rights events.”
Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi woman and Football Australia General Manager of First Nations, Courtney Fewquandie, expressed the importance of football meeting the moment.
“Football Australia, under the attentive guidance of NIAG, remains committed to continuing to support football in its role in promoting the advancement of recognition and culturally informed decision-making with First Nations people,” Fewquandie said.
“The Uluru Statement is amongst a number of urgent calls for systemic change driven by our people and the Voice to Parliament is a crucial component.”
Football Australia are proud to release the following official statement.
“Football is a global unifier and brings together people from all walks of life. The ability to learn, to share, to heal and to create change is what makes it, ‘the beautiful game.’
Football Australia’s vision, as defined in the , is to be recognised as a leader in Indigenous sporting programs and a conduit to the reconciliation process with First Nations peoples.
By re-affirming our commitment made on 13 September 2022, we acknowledge the Uluru Statement from the Heart as a historical directive to develop a more comprehensive articulation of Australia’s nationhood and we stand side by side in an Australian-wide movement for a better future.
Through the guidance of our ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Indigenous Advisory Group, we continue to proudly support the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution through a Voice to Parliament to give First Nations people a voice and a guaranteed say in the policies and laws that directly impact them.”
Football Australia shares pride and welcomes recent announcements by the other Australian Sporting codes in joining its commitment to supporting the Uluru Statement From the Heart and the Voice to Parliament.
