2022 NAIDOC Week Celebrations
Football NSW will be joining the 2022 NAIDOC Week celebrations from the 3-10 July with a number of exciting activations and new initiatives.
Held annually, NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with this year’s theme being ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’.
On Wednesday, 6th July, Football NSW will partner with Northern NSW Football in the staging of the inaugural NAIDOC Cup.
A celebration of First Nations’ communities, culture and football, the Cup will feature male and female representative teams (aged 14-16) from each Member Federation going head-to-head at the Lake Macquarie Football Facility, streamed live via the NPL.TV platform. (Stream times will be advised closer to the date).
The annual event will see each Member Federation alternate hosting duties, with the goal of establishing a high-profile event that can inspire First Nations’ youth across NSW.
As part of NAIDOC Week, Football NSW will also mark weekend competitions on the 8-10 July as ‘Indigenous Round’, providing clubs from across the state with the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the traditional custodians of the land which they are based in.
Throughout the week, Football NSW will be eager to acknowledge First Nations representatives who are making positive contributions to their local football communities. If there is someone you believe deserves to be celebrated, please get in touch with us via email to Media Manager Mark Stavroulakis mark@footballnsw.com.au.
Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge said NAIDOC Week was a fantastic opportunity for the wider community to reflect on the contributions and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the sport.
“Working closely with the Football NSW Indigenous Advisory Group, we are committed to building a safer and more inclusive environment for First Nations people across the community, whilst also celebrating those who are already making significant contributions to our game,” said Hodge.
“The likes of Kyah Simon, Jada Mathyssen-Whyman, Shadeene Evans and Tate Russell have been great role models for young footballers, and the future certainly looks bright with many more up and coming players with an Indigenous heritage coming through the ranks.
“This year’s launch of the NAIDOC Cup adds even more excitement to our NAIDOC Week celebrations, and I look forward to this initiative growing each year.”
2022 NAIDOC Week: ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’
Whether it’s seeking proper environmental, cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism—we must do it together.
It must be a genuine commitment by all of us to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! and support and secure institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative reforms.
How Your Club Can Activate
- Nominate any First Nations Champions at your club making positive contributions to the football community by emailing Football NSW Media Manager Mark Stavroulakis on mark@footballnsw.com.au
- Matchday ‘Welcome to Country’: If you are interested in having a local Elder provide a Welcome to Country, we would suggest the first point of call would be your local Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Engagement Officer (or alike)
- Acknowledgement of Country: If a Welcome to Country is not possible, we would also suggest an Acknowledgement of Country (example below) prior to any local events which can be delivered by a club administrator
- More information on Acknowledgement of Country
- Working example of Welcome to Country:
“I begin today by acknowledging the [name of local custodians], the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather here today and pay my respect to Elders both past, present, and future. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.”
- Create a social media post acknowledging NAIDOC Week and supporting the 2022 theme (using the #NAIDOC2022, #NAIDOCWeek or #NAIDOC hashtag)
- The NAIDOC Week website has a number of digital assets that a club can utilise including various logos and an email banner.
- The NAIDOC Week website has a list of ideas to activate for local events, including flag raising and / or smoking ceremonies, community BBQs, and more
