Outback United for Football

An innovative documentary which traces the first year of Football Federation Australia's (FFA) Indigenous Football Development Program will be broadcast this weekend.

An innovative documentary which traces the first year of Football Federation Australia's (FFA) Indigenous Football Development Program will be broadcast this weekend.

Entitled 'Outback United', the documentary looks at the history of Indigenous football in Australia, as well as offering a glimpse into the future by capturing the experiences of the children involved in the inaugural Indigenous Football Festival (IFF) held in Townsville in July.

Covering several community visits that took place leading into the Festival, including Dubbo, Alice Springs and Borroloola, the documentary captures the camaraderie and spirit of the children who participated in the Festival.

“We are very proud of the progress we have made since the launch of the Indigenous Football Development Program (IFDP) in February this year,” said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.

“We believe we have a responsibility to encourage more young people of Indigenous background to play football as a way to improve their life through better health, better education and improved skills and we will continue to work hard in this area to do so.

"'Outback United' is an inspirational insight into our past as well as our hope for the future, and is a good indication of how football can help contribute to the reconciliation process in Australia," Buckley added.

Interviewees on ‘Outback United- include: John Moriarty and Warren Mundine (IFDP Ambassadors), Harry Williams (member of the 1974 FIFA World Cup squad), Qantas Socceroos Jade North, Westfield Matilda Kyah Simon, Adelaide United Captain Travis Dodd, Olympian Cathy Freeman, AFL star Adam Goodes, Tennis Champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley and more.

'Outback United' will be broadcast on SBS TWO on Sunday 18 October at 8.30pm and repeated on SBS ONE on Sunday 8 November at 12 noon.

About the Indigenous Football Development Program: The Indigenous Football Development Program (IFDP) is a 10-year national plan to increase Indigenous Australians- involvement in football and contribute to better health, education and social outcome for Indigenous. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd launched this program in February 2009.

The Indigenous Football Festival is the centrepiece of FFA-s Indigenous Football Development Program and was held in Townsville in July 2009.