How many Indigenous Socceroos have there been?
How many Indigenous Australians have played for the Socceroos?
Given the numbers of Indigenous players runnning around in AFL and other codes I would have expected a fair number to have made it through the football ranks.
Well, my research suggests just FOUR!
Canberra's own Harry Williams, who played in the World Cup 1974 side, Kasey Wehrmann and Jade North and Travis Dodd who are still both playing in the A-League are the only Indigenous Socceroos.
Anymore? Let me know.
A bit embarrasing really, but let's hope things are on the move as Indigenous football carnival occurs in Sydney each year and various other grassroot work takes place across the country
5 comments:
I don't think he ever represented Australia, but indigenous activist Charlie Perkins was apparently quite the player, and trialled with Everton.
You could probably put good money on David Williams of Brondby playing for the Socceroos pretty soon as well.
John Moriarty was the first indigenous Australian selected for the Socceroos in 1960. Interestingly, he never played for the Socceroos because the then Australian Soccer Federation was banned from international competition because of "transfer irregularities".
John is a famous Aboriginal artist.
A couple of stories about John:
www.smh.com.au/news/football/next-generation-can-turn-moriartys-dreamtime-into-reality/2006/11/03/1162340054334.html
www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/socceroo-dreaming/2006/05/23/1148150255015.html
Of course there have been quite a few indigenous Australians that have played for the Matildas including Bridgette Starr and Belinda Dawney and another one that I just can't rememebr the name of back in the early-1990's.
excellent Marc
add Canberra's own and Young Matilda Captain Lydia Williams to the full Matilda's list of course.
and Charlie Perkins was another who recognised as a good player but never made it.
Eamonn
I don't want to get into a debate about Aboriginality, but ... if you include Kasey Wehrmann, who is part-Aboriginal, then you should also maybe include Frank Farina as I think (not absolutely sure) that he also claims part-Aboriginality.
I am still researching the name of the Matilda that was Aboriginal from the late?-1990's and will post here as soon as I can.
Thanks Marc
Are you researching for a particular reason, book, uni or just for self-interest?
and where are you based?
some interesting comments from the FFA in yesterday's SMH artlce re-plans to target more Indigenous Australians.
cheers
Eamonn
Post a Comment