Valentine Sports Park to host 2023 NAIDOC Cup
More than 120 First Nations players aged between 13 and 16 will converge on Football NSW’s headquarters Valentine Sports Park for the second annual NAIDOC Cup in July.
The NAIDOC Cup will return this year, with the tournament expanded to a three-day event from Monday 3 July to Wednesday 5 July.
The NAIDOC Cup coincides with NAIDOC Week, a national week held in July that celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Once again, Football NSW and Northern NSW Football will enter male and female teams in under-14s and under-16s age groups, with squads made up of First Nations players. The tournament will also engage First Nations coaches and referees from across the state.
Football NSW’s Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator Annabel Meadley was looking forward to the tournament growing following its inaugural year in 2022.
“Football NSW is eagerly anticipating hosting the upcoming NAIDOC Cup following what was a memorable 2022 tournament.
“Coinciding with NAIDOC Week from the 2nd to 9th of July, our teams will be looking forward to representing their culture, family, and heritage on a bigger stage with pride.
“We at Football NSW cannot wait to see this Cup come to life here at our spiritual home at Valentine Sports Park and look forward to providing more opportunities for First Nations communities.”
NNSW Football Legacy Plan Development Officer Joseph Wright said the event was a celebration of Indigenous culture using football as the medium to bring First Nations players together from across NSW.
“Last year’s event was a huge success and we’re really excited to see the NAIDOC Cup return this season,” Wright said.
“The NAIDOC Cup is a celebration of First Nations communities, culture and football and it is a great opportunity for our proud and talented First Nations footballers to shine, showcase their talent and represent themselves, their family, their culture and heritage.”
The first NAIDOC Cup was held on Awabakal land at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility last year.
Football NSW downed Northern NSW Football 4-3 in the girls match, while Football NSW ran out 10-0 winners over Northern NSW Football in the boys match.
The event is in partnership with Football NSW’s Indigenous Advisory Group.
Football NSW is also running a jersey design competition for the 2023 edition of the NAIDOC Cup with the winning design to be displayed on the playing kits of the FNSW teams. The winner of the design competition will also win $1000 prize money (inclusive of GST). Click here for more information on how to enter!
The NSW government supports the NAIDOC Cup under the NSW Football Legacy Program. More information on the NSW Football Legacy Program is available HERE.
