Getting Aboriginals into football

[Socceroo_06]

Next generation can turn Moriarty's dreamtime into reality

November 4, 2006

Aboriginal trailblazer believes untapped indigenous talent can transform the Socceroos, writes Michael Cockerill.

DREAM of a Socceroos side filled with indigenous talent, and it might actually be possible to dream of Australia winning the World Cup.

John Moriarty, the first Aborigine to be picked for Australia, has had the dream for as long as he can remember. Jade North and Travis Dodd have turned part of the fantasy into reality, sharing the rare distinction of playing alongside each other in the green and gold this year. Against Kuwait in September, Dodd even made history when becoming the first indigenous player to score a goal for the Socceroos.

They might be joined by a third indigenous Australian, exciting young Queenslander David Williams, who is in the under-20s and will soon be knocking on the door for senior selection. A Socceroos side with a darker hue would surely turn Australia from pretenders to contenders, and every indication points to football's "dreamtime" being just around the corner.

Moriarty, together with his cousin, activist Charlie Perkins, tried valiantly to pave the way. Both were members of the stolen generation, and both found Adelaide's football-loving migrant community a welcome refuge from the rampant racism of post-war Australia.

In 1960, Moriarty was picked to play for Australia in a tournament in Singapore, but never got there. The world body, FIFA, banned Australia from international competition on the eve of the tour, and by the time the ban was lifted three years later, Moriarty had smashed his knee and would never play at the highest level again.

But if he thought his ground-breaking achievements, and those of Perkins (who failed to win Socceroos selection), would start the ball rolling, he was wrong. It would be a decade before another Aborigine, Harry Williams, was picked to play for the Socceroos, and, since then, only three more black Australians (Dodd, North and Kasey Wehrman) have represented their country at senior level.

The generations have been stolen in more ways than one. By Australian football, rugby league, and, occasionally, rugby union. Adam Goodes, for instance, has won two Brownlow Medals, but played football into his mid-teens. The sport has rarely managed to nurture black talent, or hold on to it. But having savoured watching Dodd and North playing together for the Socceroos, Moriarty senses the situation is about to change.

"This is our great breakthrough," he says. "They're both fantastic footballers, and they're great role models. I mean, what more can you ask for? Playing for the Socceroos and putting on performances like they have. We can get many Jade Norths and Travis Dodds into the national team.

"It's an old dream. If you can get an Australian team peppered with Aboriginal players, think of how well we could do … it's the ideal sport for Aboriginal people. Their bone structure. Their co-ordination, hands, feet, eye. They've got speed and dexterity. They're naturals, but we haven't tapped into it all.

"I might seem biased, but, yes, we do need to see a good balance between Aboriginal players and the rest. That's my dream, and it's achievable. We shouldn't lose any generations from here onwards because of lack of opportunities. That's the main thing."

Dodd, for one, is happy to spread the word. "The way the game is progressing, with the spotlight we have now, hopefully we can be role models for Aboriginal kids," says the Adelaide United winger.

"There just hasn't been that next step for kids to go to before. AFL is in their face, so is rugby league. But now we're making some way on this. With the Socceroos, you do get noticed more - kids can see that. It's such a big stage. To do what we're doing in front of so many people, it gives kids something to aspire to. People stand up and listen to what you've got to say. I can have an influence now."

While Moriarty thinks big, he is starting small. Recently, he won an agreement from Macarthur River Mines, near his home town of Boorooloola on the Gulf of Carpentaria, to sponsor a series of football clinics. Dodd, former Socceroos skippers John Kosmina and Alex Tobin, and television pundit Craig Foster, a former international, have all agreed to contribute.

Moriarty has long used Boorooloola as a "hot house" for testing Aboriginal enthusiasm for the game. Now the town boasts five teams - three of them female - and, with the help of the mine, he hopes to use the template to develop football across a number of remote communities in northern Australia.

"It needs to be linked with the FFA so it's not done in isolation," says Moriarty. "We can't go on like we did with the old system. The FFA needs to be involved in a detailed, structured way, to reach out to Aboriginal kids and bring them into football. It's long overdue, and I'd be happy to be involved."

The national body, which finally has the resources to introduce meaningful indigenous programs, hears the call loud and clear. "We've lagged behind the other sports in this area, and we know we have a lot of catching up to do," said FFA chief executive John O'Neill. "But we are committed to doing a lot more. We've now got some Federal Government funding for indigenous programs and we intend to do something about it."

Four years ago, North won a Deadly Award after being voted the best young indigenous sportsman in the country. This year, Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams claimed her own Deadly as the female sportsperson of the year. The indigenous community is finally starting to recognise a different football code. And football is ready to oblige. .

[LS 11]

Who cares!!!!

Get the best FOOTBALLERS in regardless of race creed history etc - sheesh

[stinger]

Who cares!!!!

Get the best FOOTBALLERS in regardless of race creed history etc - sheesh

ive been held back for years becuase of genetics, no one wants a fat short arse on there team anymore...

[alastair]

ive been held back for years becuase of genetics, no one wants a fat short arse on there team anymore...

Lack of tallent might also somthing to do with it.

[M.R.M]

Who cares!!!!

Get the best FOOTBALLERS in regardless of race creed history etc - sheesh

Have to agree.

[stinger]

Lack of tallent might also somthing to do with it.

what are you trying to suggest?

[Hugie]

Who cares!!!!

Get the best FOOTBALLERS in regardless of race creed history etc - sheesh

That's the problem though isn't it. At the moment we're getting the best footballers out of certain parts of the community. Aboriginal people have excelled at AFL and Rugby League but because of lack of opportunity and lack of input by governing bodies, they haven't really performed as footballers.

By giving aboriginals more of an opportunity to play football then we will probably unearth a couple of stars.

[futuremelvicstar]

Who cares!!!!

Get the best FOOTBALLERS in regardless of race creed history etc - sheesh

Exactly right.Get the best footballers. What i think it is trying to do though is get more Aboriginal people playing football instead of AFL which i like:D

[stinger]

That's the problem though isn't it. At the moment we're getting the best footballers out of certain parts of the community. Aboriginal people have excelled at AFL and Rugby League but because of lack of opportunity and lack of input by governing bodies, they haven't really performed as footballers.

By giving aboriginals more of an opportunity to play football then we will probably unearth a couple of stars.

well said.

[jonk]

I disagree with Pete.

If we can unearth some players that can play for Australia, and help us make and do well in World Cups, then I care. I care a lot!

Aboroginal people seem to be quite good at sport - 2% of our population is Aboriginal yet what is it? 8%? of the AFL is Aboriginal. It shows that they have unique advantages which help them out on a football field. Good luck to the new Aboroginal footballers.

[nonna]

ma please

[Tunna]

Cue Daydream.... :)

[golazo]

Who cares!!!!

Get the best FOOTBALLERS in regardless of race creed history etc - sheesh

Aboriginals have superior DNA to most races in the world, and their skill sets would suit the world game perfectly.

[M.R.M]

Aboriginals have superior DNA to most races in the world, and their skill sets would suit the world game perfectly.

Source?

[~LUFC~]

Everyone should be encouraged to play football, basically some people have a talent and its a matter of finding it. but to be fair, some of the major aboriginal places in Australia regard AFL like Brazil regard Football. trying to get brazilians to play AFl isn't going create a huge portian of AFL standard players.

[LS 11]

Sarkies Magic now to be called Sarkies MagicMushrooms

[Ady#1]

Who cares!!!!

Get the best FOOTBALLERS in regardless of race creed history etc - sheesh

racsist:D

[MDL]

Aboriginals have superior DNA to most races in the world, and their skill sets would suit the world game perfectly.

Wrong....my misses is a Genetisus(?) (Im obviously not)

[nonna]

is she aborigine?

[stinger]

is she aborigine?

who?

[nonna]

who?
oops was in regards to tunna's post

[golazo]

Source?

Einstein once said it, and Pauline Hanson

[MDL]

Einstein once said it, and Pauline Hanson

Oh well if Pauline said it must be true....:D

*note - I think that is the first & last time in history Einstein & Pauline Hanson will ever be used in the same sentence........apart from this one.

[golazo]

Oh well if Pauline said it must be true....:D

*note - I think that is the first & last time in history Einstein & Pauline Hanson will ever be used in the same sentence........apart from this one.

Einstein says you are wrong, Pauline Hanson agrees.

[VictoryPark]

I think, having played 'shudder' AFL against quite a few Koorie players (and a whole team of them in the form of Rumbalara) that there is so much potential for some amazing players to come through into our code. They are quick, skillful, confident and creative, perfectly suited into some of the attacking positions that we have a few problems with in our National team. I think that the main problem will be releasing the AFL's stranglehold on the young tackers that go to Auskick and shit like that.

[VICTORY*PRIDE]

where not there slave's...
we dont need to help them, they can do it them selves.

[golazo]

I think, having played 'shudder' AFL against quite a few Koorie players (and a whole team of them in the form of Rumbalara) that there is so much potential for some amazing players to come through into our code. They are quick, skillful, confident and creative, perfectly suited into some of the attacking positions that we have a few problems with in our National team. I think that the main problem will be releasing the AFL's stranglehold on the young tackers that go to Auskick and shit like that.

Exactly, our very own brasilians..

[VictoryPark]

where not there slave's...
we dont need to help them, they can do it them selves.

Fuck off dickhead, Learn to spell before spouting your uneducated pseudo-racist shit around the place.
Slaves? fucking hell mate, read a history book about Australia.

[Jungle]

Exactly, our very own brasilians..

exactly what i've always thought.

Man if Daniel Wells had grown up playing football he'd be one of the best players in the world.

Watch the style of play that young indigenous players generally bring to the AFL. Flare, speed, ridiculous ball control. I've heard it said that in the NT afl league you get an AFL mark of the year quality mark in almost every game.

Indigenous Australia has a culture in sport that I think would embrace 'beautiful' football.

I think it'd be fucken sick, if football took over in indigenous populated areas but unfortunately unlikely.

[golazo]

exactly what i've always thought.

Man if Daniel Wells had grown up playing football he'd be one of the best players in the world.

Watch the style of play that young indigenous players generally bring to the AFL. Flare, speed, ridiculous ball control. I've heard it said that in the NT afl league you get an AFL mark of the year quality mark in almost every game.

Indigenous Australia has a culture in sport that I think would embrace 'beautiful' football.

I think it'd be fucken sick, if football took over in indigenous populated areas but unfortunately unlikely.
Yeah true, i've been saying it for years. There needs to be a huge push to get Aboriginies to play football!

This is another reason why I am hoping for David Williams to become a superstar, Aboriginie kids will see him on TV and they will want to be just like him.

[Jungle]

well I guess we agree on something, haha

[El Zilcho]

Aboriginals have superior DNA to most races in the world

LOL, that one might have to go in my sig as the new stupidist quote!

[azza]

Dodd, Williams and North are impressive talents and if we can develop Aboriginal players (or players of other ethnicities as well :) ) to have the ability of them... we will have a bright future

In AFL, Aboriginal players find unorthodox ways to adapt and to bemuse the opposition, not textbook stuff, and that is what makes them special in the AFL, they bring something different, something coaches don't teach

Maybe in football we can do the same and if they show they have a gift we need good coaches to nurture it and encourage the talent.

[golazo]

LOL, that one might have to go in my sig as the new stupidist quote!

LOL I don't mean at everything.. I guess what i meant was just that they would suit the game of football more.

[Jungle]

I've had dreams of Daniel Wells playing football!

He's even my created player on Fifa street

[golazo]

He's even my created player on Fifa street

LOL

[VictoryPark]

In AFL, Aboriginal players find unorthodox ways to adapt and to bemuse the opposition, not textbook stuff, and that is what makes them special in the AFL, they bring something different, something coaches don't teach


Excellent point..

[Aritro]

Imagine Aaron Davey running onto through balls in a Socceroo shirt.

[azza]

Imagine Aaron Davey running onto through balls in a Socceroo shirt.

imagine Dean Rioli being puffed out after he ran about 5 metres, but still making a goal assist out of nothing and demanding OT payment ;)

[golazo]

imagine Dean Rioli being puffed out after he ran about 5 metres, but still making a goal assist out of nothing and demanding OT payment ;)

Romario?? lol

[azza]

Romario?? lol

Romario has actually won things, Rioli has never won any premiership medals ;)

anyone remember Donato from Depor?

[Jungle]

Imagine Aaron Davey running onto through balls in a Socceroo shirt.

wells is way better than davey

[Jungle]

imagine Dean Rioli being puffed out after he ran about 5 metres, but still making a goal assist out of nothing and demanding OT payment ;)

lmao

[Jungle]

imagine Adrian McAddam's free kicks

[golazo]

Wanganeen could have been like Kaka!


OMG!! Imagine Greg Inglis!!!

[Aritro]

Imagine Jimmy Krakeour's speed.

[golazo]

Imagine Jimmy Krakeour's speed.

It makes ya wonder doesn't it mate, If top euro nations had these types of players theyd be rolling in the trophies.. We just gotta get them to ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAME! lol

[azza]

Nathan Lovett-Murray could have been the Australian Beckenbauer or Bobby Moore or even Passarella

Andrew Lovett... he could have been... erm Thierry Henry (ok I might be pushing it a tad)

[Aritro]

It makes ya wonder doesn't it mate, If top euro nations had these types of players theyd be rolling in the trophies.. We just gotta get them to ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAME! lol

It was a joke about his being jailed for attempting to transport a shipment of amphetamines.

But yes, they'd be good at football, and stuff.

[azza]

Maybe the potential of being known outside of Australia as well as in will provide a good incentive

As we know, the A-League is going to be beamed in many countries, Socceroos is getting recognition around the world

Perhaps it can be an avenue towards reconciliation...

Football represents the new Australia, at least the Australia we want to see, one of open mindedness and one where skin colour does not determine your fate...

am I being too idealistic, maybe I am... :)

[Jungle]

Wanganeen could have been like Kaka!


OMG!! Imagine Greg Inglis!!!

nah less flare and skill in rugby. he is a gun though.

Mccaddam could apparently land a ball in a bin from 50 metres away time and time again. He got suspended from local footy for something like 14 weeks so he played in a local cricket league half way through the season and took the most wickets for the season, something like that.

aaahhhhh the urban legends of Adrian McAddam

[Jungle]

you always hear about the biggest issue of getting young indigenous AFL players to play well in AFL is bulking them up,I reckon alot of players from NT don't get drafted cause theyre too small for AFL, in football that wouldn't be as big an issue

[gweeds]

I think we need to separate two issues here (which were confused in that article). Representation in our national team and encouraging the indigenous populations of Australia to play football.

I agree that any positive discrimination is not on. You get the best players whetever their ancestry.

However the psychological impact of having a substantial proportion of Aborigines (and hopefully having a few good enough to play for Australia) cannot be underestimated.

For some football may be a great game, but it is still seen as a 'foreign' one. The fact is that even now, if we look at the players lists of A League clubs, players of Non English Speaking Backrounds are over-represented. Why? Because traditionally these were the groups that played football.

We read that AFL is the 'real' Australian game, that it derived from an Aboriginal game etc. etc. You can see that if aboriginals started to make an impact in our game this would lessen this argument.

I also think that many people overseas know diddly squat about Australia, but the football team is a great ambassador. Having a few original Australians there would also be good to show the real make up of Australia. In fact it would be the most accurate representative of the make up of our nation.

[MDL]

you always hear about the biggest issue of getting young indigenous AFL players to play well in AFL is bulking them up,I reckon alot of players from NT don't get drafted cause theyre too small for AFL, in football that wouldn't be as big an issue

Not true, one of the main reasons is that they don't like leaving their communities & relocating to a city.......there are so many talented Aboriginal AFL players who could easily play at the highest level, bulk or no bulk. THe key is get role models, & Dodd is a good start. Someone making it big in Europe would be even better eg - Williams

[azza]

Not true, one of the main reasons is that they don't like leaving their communities & relocating to a city.......there are so many talented Aboriginal AFL players who could easily play at the highest level, bulk or no bulk. THe key is get role models, & Dodd is a good start. Someone making it big in Europe would be even better eg - Williams

I think Harry Williams is a good role model, but the only thing about it is... how many people actually know the names of the 1974 Socceroos? Right place... wrong time for him

But David Williams, Travis Dodd, Jade North and to lesser extent, Fred Agius can all be inspirations

Anyway, with the bulking up thing, I tend to recall Michael Long as not an awfully big person physically, Jeff Farmer, ROnnie Burns, Andrew Lovett... etc etc

I think Aborigines to AFL is like what a South American is to football

[MDL]

I think Harry Williams is a good role model, but the only thing about it is... how many people actually know the names of the 1974 Socceroos? Right place... wrong time for him

But David Williams, Travis Dodd, Jade North and to lesser extent, Fred Agius can all be inspirations

Anyway, with the bulking up thing, I tend to recall Michael Long as not an awfully big person physically, Jeff Farmer, ROnnie Burns, Andrew Lovett... etc etc

I think Aborigines to AFL is like what a South American is to football

I was actually talking about David Williamas, if he makes it big in Europe will be a huge role model for this generation......agree bulk isnt needed when u have exceptional speed & vision.

[azza]

I was actually talking about David Williamas, if he makes it big in Europe will be a huge role model for this generation......agree bulk isnt needed when u have exceptional speed & vision.

yeah I know, but I just thought Harry Williams deserves a mention :)

[AlexTG]

I'm pretty sure the AFL had alot of difficulty getting many aboriginals to play in the VFL/AFL originaly, they put alot of effort and money into developing indigenous talen at a national level.
Their main problem was getting aboriginals to leave their families/communities and alot would get homesick. In the end I think they put all the aboriginals together from all the different clubs so that they could be with others who shared their culture and their experiances... It's alot like us having to get in three brazilians, if we'd brought in one then they would have had alot more trouble coping with the new culture.
Someone please correct me if any of this is wrong, I don't know too much about aboriginals in the AFL, except perhaps that Daniel Wells and Byron Picket are awesome.

[Daydream]

I'm pretty sure the AFL had alot of difficulty getting many aboriginals to play in the VFL/AFL originaly, they put alot of effort and money into developing indigenous talen at a national level.
Their main problem was getting aboriginals to leave their families/communities and alot would get homesick. In the end I think they put all the aboriginals together from all the different clubs so that they could be with others who shared their culture and their experiances... It's alot like us having to get in three brazilians, if we'd brought in one then they would have had alot more trouble coping with the new culture.
Someone please correct me if any of this is wrong, I don't know too much about aboriginals in the AFL, except perhaps that Daniel Wells and Byron Picket are awesome.

Byron Pickett, Sean and Peter Burgoyne are all originally started off in Port Adelaide, and are related to each other. I'm not 100% sure on this but I do know that there is a local football team in Port Lincoln that is always scouted for players and is pretty much all aboriginal, not sure if these three started off here.

[MDL]

Byron Pickett, Sean and Peter Burgoyne are all originally started off in Port Adelaide, and are related to each other. I'm not 100% sure on this but I do know that there is a local football team in Port Lincoln that is always scouted for players and is pretty much all aboriginal, not sure if these three started off here.

There is a all Aboriginal AFL team in Shepparton who also have a good record of success. Maybe if the Townsville team ever gets up, this could be an option up there to play pre-match or practice games against the A-League team to attract some Aboriginal support.

[Daydream]

There is a all Aboriginal AFL team in Shepparton who also have a good record of success. Maybe if the Townsville team ever gets up, this could be an option up there to play pre-match or practice games against the A-League team to attract some Aboriginal support.
True, big community in Shep, don't personally know about the AFL team there though.

Don't know if this has been mentioned (I'm purposefully not going to read through this thread), but many Aboriginal communities have massive sports carnivals, with AFL and Netball playoffs, they are ABSOLUTELY HUGE events. Been to a couple up The Cape, one in Adelaide, one in NT, a couple in Melbourne, people travel 100's of kms to come to these weekends, modern day gatherings or the region :).
Don't know how you'd go about getting football teams up and running though....
Spose you gotta invest in getting clinics running in communities and providing the infrastructure (doubt many communities would have a rectangular field with grass, the pitches are pretty hardcore in central australia too :D)

[Socceroo_06]

I'm pretty sure the AFL had alot of difficulty getting many aboriginals to play in the VFL/AFL originaly, they put alot of effort and money into developing indigenous talen at a national level.
Their main problem was getting aboriginals to leave their families/communities and alot would get homesick. In the end I think they put all the aboriginals together from all the different clubs so that they could be with others who shared their culture and their experiances... It's alot like us having to get in three brazilians, if we'd brought in one then they would have had alot more trouble coping with the new culture.
Someone please correct me if any of this is wrong, I don't know too much about aboriginals in the AFL, except perhaps that Daniel Wells and Byron Picket are awesome.

Well at essendon Nathan Lovett-Murray and Andrew Lovett were drafter on to the rookie list at the same time, and where also brought into the senior team around the same time, so you definately are on the right track.

IMHO the Tiwi Islands, where Maurice and Dean Rioli came from, breed the most talented indiginous athletes i have ever seen. St Marys FC is also a breeding ground for indiginouse AFL players.

[Daydream]

Well at essendon Nathan Lovett-Murray and Andrew Lovett were drafter on to the rookie list at the same time, and where also brought into the senior team around the same time, so you definately are on the right track.

IMHO the Tiwi Islands, where Maurice and Dean Rioli came from, breed the most talented indiginous athletes i have ever seen. St Marys FC is also a breeding ground for indiginouse AFL players.

They're not cattle.....
HA, next thing you know someone will mention "rearing" children in a controlled environment, supplying adequate food and shelter and medical resources ;)

[Socceroo_06]

True, big community in Shep, don't personally know about the AFL team there though.

Don't know if this has been mentioned (I'm purposefully not going to read through this thread), but many Aboriginal communities have massive sports carnivals, with AFL and Netball playoffs, they are ABSOLUTELY HUGE events. Been to a couple up The Cape, one in Adelaide, one in NT, a couple in Melbourne, people travel 100's of kms to come to these weekends, modern day gatherings or the region :).
Don't know how you'd go about getting football teams up and running though....
Spose you gotta invest in getting clinics running in communities and providing the infrastructure (doubt many communities would have a rectangular field with grass, the pitches are pretty hardcore in central australia too :D)

Check out http://www.footballnt.com.au/

Supposedly there are 24 Football clubs in the NT. Heres a list:
Clubs in NT

Central Zone
Borroloola FC
Gove Soccer Club
Katherine FC

Northern Zone
Afro-Oz Football Club
Casuarina Soccer Club
Darwin Azzurri Football Club
Darwin City Buffalos
Darwin Olympic Soccer Club
Hellenic Athletic Club
Karama United Football Club
Litchfield Soccer Club
Marrara Dragons Soccer Club
Nakara Soccer Club
Mindil Aces Soccer Club
Padres Football Club
Palmerston La-Faek Soccer Club Official Site
Port Darwin Soccer Club
University Rangers Football Club
Waratahs Soccer Club

Southern Zone
Celtic Soccer Club
Scorpions Soccer Club
Verdi Soccer Club
Vikings Football Club

[AlexTG]

They're not cattle.....
HA, next thing you know someone will mention "rearing" children in a controlled environment, supplying adequate food and shelter and medical resources ;)
Everyone knows footballers of any code are in fact just pieces of meat that clubs trade?

[Socceroo_06]

They're not cattle.....
HA, next thing you know someone will mention "rearing" children in a controlled environment, supplying adequate food and shelter and medical resources ;)

it's a colloquial expression, geez:)

[LS 11]

Afro-Oz Football Club - now theres a name

And you dont need to set up "infrastructure" as such. In Africa and South America they kick a ball in the desert, in streets everywhere

[AlexTG]

Afro-Oz Football Club - now theres a name
... come to think of it, wouldn't that suggest that its an african immigrants' football club...not one for aboriginals...

BTW... excuse my excessive posting everyone, I'm procrastinating instead of studying for exams:D

[Daydream]

Check out http://www.footballnt.com.au/

Supposedly there are 24 Football clubs in the NT. Heres a list:
Clubs in NT

Central Zone
Borroloola FC
Gove Soccer Club
Katherine FC

Northern Zone
Afro-Oz Football Club
Casuarina Soccer Club
Darwin Azzurri Football Club
Darwin City Buffalos
Darwin Olympic Soccer Club
Hellenic Athletic Club
Karama United Football Club
Litchfield Soccer Club
Marrara Dragons Soccer Club
Nakara Soccer Club
Mindil Aces Soccer Club
Padres Football Club
Palmerston La-Faek Soccer Club Official Site
Port Darwin Soccer Club
University Rangers Football Club
Waratahs Soccer Club

Southern Zone
Celtic Soccer Club
Scorpions Soccer Club
Verdi Soccer Club
Vikings Football Club
I've always said Darwin would be a brilliant place to start another team for the A-League.

[Daydream]

Afro-Oz Football Club - now theres a name

And you dont need to set up "infrastructure" as such. In Africa and South America they kick a ball in the desert, in streets everywhere

:rolleyes:

[sj]

Yes, get them into football!!

I don't mean at the expense of other Australians, but it should be a priority to spread our game all over Australia. They have shown an aptitude in sport, so it can't do us any harm...

[Socceroo_06]

Supposedly the goverment has invester $500K into grassroots football in the Alice!

Here is the media release: Click (http://www.nt.gov.au/ocm/media_releases/2006/06%20June/20060626_ToyneSoccer.pdf)

And here are some pics of the proposed darwin football stadium.
http://www.footballnt.com.au/webmaster/images/dfsnortheast.jpg

http://www.footballnt.com.au/webmaster/images/dfdbirdeast.jpg

[LS 11]

If you look at the teams lists katherine and Gove and the likes are NOWHERE near Darwin

and :rolleyes: back at ya

[Daydream]

If you look at the teams lists katherine and Gove and the likes are NOWHERE near Darwin

and :rolleyes: back at ya
Riiiiiiggggghhhhhhtttt, so an A-League in Darwin wouldn't possibly get the few players who might wanna be a part of it to travel the few hours it takes from Katherine to Darwin, or to relocate from Gove to Darwin......

Or for people to make the fortnightly trip to watch their family and friends play at home (Darwin is a very tight knit community)

16 of the 24 clubs are in Darwin, the furthest out is in Palmerston, which is not far out (45mins??? been a while since I've been up to Darwin)

[LS 11]

Darwins population in 2005 was 103,500

I dont give a monkeys how tight the community is (and having lived there for a year I can say it aint that tight) it doesnt really stack up now does it

[Daydream]

Gosford, population = 162 533
Newcastle, population = 140 934
New Zealand, population = 4,035,461

Hmmmmm.....I suspect maybe the crowd numbers aren't so dependant on the population, rather on the passion that a place holds for it's team.

[Ascoli Calcio]

Don't count NZ as a population, count it as Auckland.

[azza]

Don't count NZ as a population, count it as Auckland.

1.2 million I believe

[Daydream]

Sorry, my mistake...

Auckland, population = 1.2 million

[Daydream]

Azza, SNAP!!!!

[AVFC88]

LOL. This thread brought back memories of a thread a while back, on the same topic.

Someone's infamous answer on how to get more aboriginals involved "A cask of goon and a few tinnies" or something like that lol :D

[azza]

Azza, SNAP!!!!

how did I know that? it was actually someone mentioning it on radio the other day

[Daydream]

Yes i remember it well :mad:

[Daydream]

how did I know that? it was actually someone mentioning it on radio the other day

Well done, i had to google it! i think that means you win :D

[azza]

Well done, i had to google it! i think that means you win :D

go me, go me

so Matt Carroll is good for something

[golazo]

LOOOOOOOLLLL @ the goon comment!!