Sport
21 May, 2024
Making a difference through football
YOUNG indigenous students have been given a variety of opportunities in the football world including scholarships and community events thanks to the John Moriarty Football program.
The program runs in-school and after-school programs in Kuranda and Mareeba, teaching skills such as coaching, game play, mindfulness, and nutrition.
The program also offers professional pathways to “rising stars” in the Mareeba Shire by delivering numerous scholarships while supporting their families.
Sub-programs that teach professional and social skills as well as mentoring programs are also offered and reach over 2,000 young indigenous people every week.
Mareeba locals and young football rising stars, Robert Hostalek and Colin Walsh, are two of the scholarship recipients and are developing their skills at Westfield Sports High School in Sydney.
Currently benefiting from the community scholarship program are young locals Seth, Cassidy, and Emmett, who have received school support like stationary and one-on-one tutoring as well as support for placement in sporting clubs and travel.
The scholarship aims to encourage young people to become strong leaders in their community both on and off the field.
Head coach Bruno Silva said he was proud of how far they have come so far, and for already accomplishing so much.
“Our main achievement is the growth of the program, delivering to many communities, now running indigenous football week, gala days, community days and scholarship events,” he said.
“Where we are headed is to be developing more indigenous local coaches, being more connected in that sense, being stronger.”
Anyone looking to join the program can contact Mr Silva at bruno.silva@moriartyfoundation.org.au or call 0434 899 112.
