First Nations Football

The game of football in Australia is built on respect. Respect for the game, the referees and each other. We also extend our respect to the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands we play on around Northern NSW, and we welcome any Indigenous players to join us and share our love for the game.

Since 2021, we have run First Nations Football events around the region in our member zones. These include:

Indigenous Rounds held during National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June every year).
The NAIDOC Cup is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Women’s State Cup includes an all-Indigenous team of players from across northern NSW and is one to watch throughout the three-day tournament.
In 2025, the Community State Youth Championships will include four all-Indigenous teams of players and coaches from across northern NSW.

Many of these activities are developed out of liaison with our Northern NSW Football Indigenous Advisory Group and First Nations communities.

Each year NNSWF awards Talented Indigenous Scholarships to provide assistance for 12 talented football participants.

We encourage all clubs across Northern NSW to acknowledge and connect with their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly during National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

Learn more about how you can engage First Nations communities in your area.

NAIDOC Cup

The NAIDOC Cup is for selected Indigenous footballers aged 13 to 16 to represent Northern NSW Football against Indigenous teams from Football NSW.

The first NAIDOC Cup was held in 2022 on Awabakal land at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

Women's State Cup Indigenous Team

The Women's State Cup is a development opportunity for Women's Premier League and community football players.

Teams play off in a three-day tournament, including NPL Women's NNSW clubs, community football teams and a NNSWF Indigenous representative team made up of Indigenous players from across northern NSW.

All Indigenous women aged 15 years and older in 2025 are encouraged to complete an expression of interest.

Find out more about the Women's State Cup HERE.

Complete an EOI HERE

Community State Youth Championships Indigenous Teams

The Community State Youth Championships is Member Zone v Member Zone as the best community footballers battle it out. 2025 will introduce the inaugural Northern NSW Football Indigenous team.

First Nations Under-14s and Under-16s boys and girls who play community football will have the opportunity to represent their culture alongside First Nations coaches.