In January, Camden’s Ron Dine Reserve hosted the second annual festival of Indigenous football, pictured above.
It was put on by the Indigenous Football Program (IFP) of the Camden Tigers and it featured players from across Australia.
Next month, this Camden sporting facility will be the venue for an even bigger Indigenous football day.
On Sunday, July 9, the inaugural International Festival of Indigenous Football will come to Camden.
The event will be a big celebration of the Indigenous cultures of both New Zealand and Australia – through football.
As well as welcome to country, smoking ceremonies and traditional dancing, the football games will be preceded by the haka and Aboriginal war cry.
There will also be displays and stalls by the Defence Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service, Marine Rescue, NSW Police and Polair.
Camden Tigers Indigenous Football Program (IFP) and Maori Football Aotearoa (MFA) will be co-hosting the event, which will coincide with the annual celebration of NAIDOC Week.
In March, first nations people of Australia and New Zealand signed a football treaty in the spirit of mutual recognition and collaboration to progress and promote Indigenous soccer.
“Current football systems have failed our people and we have very little access to elite pathways,’’ says IFP director Phil Dotti, who was party to the signing of the football treaty.
“Both the IFP and MFA are community-led, community-owned, and community-managed Indigenous teams.
“Delivering such an historical football event will demonstrate what we have achieved through the principle of self-determination,’’ he said.
“The IFP holds cultural authority and integrity through our football program outcomes and the results speak for themselves.
“Like New Zealand Maori Football Aotearoa, the IFP is controlled by Indigenous people.
“Indigenous people are decision makers – not advisors,” Mr Dotti said.
On the football side, a Masters clash between an IFP Invitation side and the ACT Jumbalungs will kick off the on field action on July 9.
It will be followed by a women’s match between an IFP Invitation team and the Maori Football Aotearoa (MFA).
The final match will see a men’s IFP Invitation side take on the MFA.
Make up of the teams will be announced closer to game day.
