NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week is an important opportunity for the Hills Football Association to recognise, celebrate and learn about the rich history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a time to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians, the Dharug people, of the land on which we play, train and gather, and to show our respect for Elders past, present and emerging.
Football has the power to bring people together, regardless of their background. Hills Football is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment where every player, coach, volunteer and family feels valued and respected. Celebrating NAIDOC Week reinforces these values by encouraging our football community to learn about Australia’s First Nations peoples and the significant contributions they have made to sport, communities and the nation.
The week-long event is marking an important milestone this year, with it being half a century since NAIDOC expanded from a single day event into a full week of national celebration. This year’s theme of ‘Fifty Years of Deadly’ pays tribute to the people who built this movement, the Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression, and the communities who keep showing up, year after year.
Hills Football believes that recognising NAIDOC Week is not only an opportunity to celebrate culture but also a responsibility to promote inclusion, respect and equality throughout our football community. By acknowledging the significance of this important week, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a sporting environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to participate. Together, we celebrate the world’s oldest continuing cultures and embrace the shared responsibility of building a stronger, more inclusive future through football.
