In a huge year for the world game, with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia and FIFA World Cup 2026 in focus, John Moriarty Football is turning attention firmly to the future.
JMF is an award-winning program delivered by Moriarty Foundation, engaging more than 5,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people each year across 16 communities and 18 public schools in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. This year, for the first time, JMF will host a National Talent Showcase in Sydney on May 30 and 31, bringing together some of the most exciting young Indigenous football talent from across Australia.
The Australian-first event will feature female and male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander footballers aged 12 to 16, giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the professional football community and be considered for future elite pathways.
Importantly, JMF will fully fund travel and accommodation for all selected participants and provide financial assistance to help cover football-related expenses, removing barriers that often prevent talented young players from regional and remote communities from accessing elite opportunities.
JMF co-founder John Moriarty AM, a Yanyuwa man and the first Aboriginal footballer selected to play for Australia, said the showcase was a natural next step in unlocking Indigenous talent.
“The talent pool is deep, and JMF’s coaching methodologies are geared to activating natural speed, gifted coordination and creativity to optimise the X Factor that Aboriginal children bring to the game,” Mr Moriarty said.
“The next step is the opportunity to be scouted and channelled through pathways – this is where JMF is changing the game by taking this step.”
The National Talent Showcase will be led by former Chelsea FC Academy Director, UEFA A licence holder and JMF Program Manager for Performance and Coaching, Jen Wicks.
“This experience will be life-changing,” Ms Wicks said.
“In addition to having the opportunity to showcase their talent, participants will also benefit from weekly mentoring in the lead up to the showcase, athlete workshops, opportunities to hear from professional athletes and access to future elite pathways.”
Ms Wicks said the response to the call for video submissions had already highlighted the depth of Indigenous talent around the country.
“We are asking players interested in being involved to send us videos of them playing. So far we’ve been blown away by what is coming in. There has been some really impressive talent, which is very exciting,” she said.
Former A-Leagues player and JMF Ambassador Allira Toby said the initiative addressed long-standing issues in the football system.
“The fact that we have so few Indigenous professional players is disappointing. There are just too many barriers for them,” Ms Toby said.
“This opportunity will open up pathways to new opportunities and could kick start some incredible football careers. This is what JMF is all about.”
Participants will also be considered for 12-month JMF Scholarships, which include personalised wrap-around support such as mentoring and technical performance development.
JMF’s inaugural scholarship holder, Shadeene Evans, is a powerful example of the pathways the program can create.
Growing up in the remote Northern Territory community of Borroloola, Evans was awarded a JMF Scholarship at 13 after being scouted by former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.
She went on to debut with Sydney FC, earn selection as a Young Matilda and be named vice-captain, before playing with Adelaide United and the Central Coast Mariners, and later securing an international signing with Thailand’s BGC-College of Asian Scholars.
Expressions of interest for the JMF National Talent Showcase close at 5pm AEDT on Friday, February 27, 2026.
For more information visit www.jmf.org.au
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