National Reconciliation Week | May 27 - June 3

National Reconciliation Week kicked off on Monday 27th of May, a week where all Australians learn about the shared histories, cultures and achievements as well as exploring how each of us are able to contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year; 27th May to 3rd June.

These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Football in particular plays a pivotal role in promoting this message. Football Victoria endeavours to play it’s part in the fostering of respectful relationships between the First Nations peoples and the wider Australian Community and has recently employed ex-professional Indigenous footballer James Brown to coordinate such initiatives along with promoting the world game to the Victorian Indigenous Community. We are extremely excited to have James leading our Indigenous initiatives under the Go Deadly Indigenous Football Program.

James credentials are very impressive, with accreditation as an FFA C-Licence coach, represented Australia in the U17/20/23 teams, received a deadly Award nomination for sporting achievement in 2012. James has also played professionally in the A-League for Gold Coast United, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City and had an overseas stint in South Africa for Cape Town City FC.

James is currently playing for Hume City FC and is currently the leading goal scorer for the 2019 NPL season. As well as continuing to play, James is excelling off it by undertaking a Bachelor of Business majoring in Sport Management and Economics at La Trobe University.

James is a proud Indigenous Australian and is highly motivated to drive First Nations initiatives through football so Indigenous people can succeed, whether it be on or off the pitch. Football Victoria is proud to assist the community in learning about the shared history, culture and achievements along with discovering how we are able to achieve reconciliation in Australia.

For more information on National Reconciliation Week click here for the official website.