Gumbainggir woman and former Matildas player Gema Simon says she would have greatly benefited from an Indigenous development pathway when she was a young aspiring footballer.
“I didn’t grow up playing much soccer with other Indigenous kids. There really weren’t many Indigenous-focused opportunities in the pathways I came through,” Simon told ABC Sport.
She explained that adjusting between life at home and playing in teams without other Indigenous players was challenging.
However, during her 16-year career in the A-Leagues and with the national team, Simon said playing alongside other First Nations athletes felt like being with family.
“It lets you be yourself in a way that’s not always possible in other environments,” she said, which is why she’s passionate about supporting Indigenous-focused initiatives run by Football Australia.
Simon, 34, and former Socceroo David Williams have been appointed as head coaches for Football Australia’s Invitational XI First Nations Girls and Boys teams. These teams will compete in the 2025 Emerging Matildas and Emerging Socceroos Championships.
This initiative comes amid a broader effort across Australian sports to increase Indigenous representation at elite levels, with many codes forming youth squads to develop emerging First Nations talent.
In the AFL, Indigenous legends Michael Long and Stephen Michael recently urged the league to address the declining number of Indigenous players. Only 63 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players remain in the men’s competition, down from 87 in 2020. Last year’s national draft saw just one Indigenous player, Hawthorn’s Cody Anderson, selected.
In rugby union, there have only been 15 Indigenous Wallabies since 1899. Super Netball features just one contracted Indigenous player in 2025 — Leesa Mi Mi of the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Noongar athlete Donnell Wallam, who previously played for the Diamonds, now competes in New Zealand’s league.
To create better pathways, Netball Australia launched the Black Swans in 2024 — a First Nations team now competing in the Pacific Netball Series.
Simon emphasized the positive impact these teams have on young players.
“We’re all striving toward the same goal,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the girls embrace their culture and connect with each other. I only played in my first Indigenous team last year — that was really special for me, even at my age. So I’m really glad these young girls get that chance now.”
Biripi player Andie Chaseling, who captained last year’s Invitational XI girls’ side, said the experience of competing in the National Youth Championships and celebrating their heritage was hugely meaningful.
“It’s so great that we can all come together from different parts of the country,” Chaseling told Football Australia. “Because of our shared culture, we just connect instantly and focus on playing the game we love.”
Williams echoed these sentiments, saying the initiative is about more than just the sport.
“I’m proud to be involved in a program that doesn’t just talk about pathways — it creates them,” he said. “I’ve seen the talent these young players have. Now it’s about providing the right environment and the belief they need to succeed.”
