2023 NAIDOC Cup launched at Football NSW

Coinciding with this year's NAIDOC Week, the NAIDOC Cup commenced on Monday at Valentine Sports Park (Darug country) with over 140 players and officials from Football NSW alongside Northern NSW Football participating with various special guests from the First Nation community to celebrate the opening of the three-day event.

NAIDOC Week 2023 has the theme of ‘For Our Elders’, and the Cup, currently in its second year, will showcase proud First Nation male and female participants set to feature in both the Under 14 and Under 16 age groups.

Football NSW Chairman Gilbert Lorquet enthused “The NAIDOC Cup is a fantastic opportunity to showcase players from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Over the years, this community has contributed a lot to the development of Australian football and they play quite a critical role in inspiring younger generations to play the sport and be positive role models.”

The official ceremony featured proud Darug woman Tataya Curry-Jones who provided the ‘Welcome to Country’.

A member of Football NSW’s inaugural NAIDOC Cup squad last season, Curry-Jones was named the female player of the tournament in 2022 and shared “It’s very special to me because I get to play with the girls that come from the same background as me.

“Just to play for my people and my community as well, is something that will always [stay with me].”

A special cultural performance was also displayed by the Gamarada Mob who continued with the opening day celebrations.

The jersey presentations to all teams then proceeded as proud Kanolu/Gangulu woman and former A-League star Allira Toby and equally proud Birpi Socceroos legend Jade North assisted in the formalities.

North added “to have a NAIDOC Cup here hosted by Football NSW is something special.

“We’re taking really big strides in that First Nations [space] and it’s great to see that we’re all moving together as one and it’s great for the young First Nations footballers to come through as well.”

Twenty-one-year-old Contemporary Aboriginal artist Nikeeta Haverfield was responsible for designing the NSW jerseys while talented Kamilaroi, Gomeroi, Gamilaraay High School student from Tamworth Phoebe Little having designed Northern NSW’s version.

Yesterday saw the first round of matches at Valentine Sports Park.

The 2023 NAIDOC Cup is supported by the NSW Government through the $10 million NSW Football Legacy Program.

Image. Credit: Football NSW