FFA has to grow the indigenous game, says Matildas keeper Lydia Williams

Proud indigenous Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams says encouraging young indigenous athletes in all sports is a must and the FFA has a great opportunity to be the flag-bearer.

Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams.

Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams has urged the FFA to better engage with rural and indigenous communities to help grow the women’s game in Australia.

Williams, a proud indigenous woman, grew up in Kalgoorlie and didn’t get her first taste of high-quality competitive football until she moved to Canberra.

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“There needs to be more done, going out to the communities and encouraging young indigenous athletes in all sports,” Williams said of the game’s governing body.

“Just giving them the opportunity to think ‘I can actually do this’ and role models they can see themselves in.”

Williams said she will always be inspired by her late father Ron, who was an indigenous elder and part of the Stolen Generation.

Now she intends to use her profile to educate Australians on issues affecting indigenous communities such as reconciliation and constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples.

Lydia Williams plans to use her profile to educate Australians on issues affecting indigenous communities.

“He wanted to be recognised in Australia as a person and who he is, but most of all he loved people it didn't matter what their skin colour or background was and that has always stuck with me,” Williams said ahead of their Olympic qualifying clash against Chinese-Taipei on Sunday week in China.

“I’d love to see that level of recognition in Australia and to be a bigger sense of reconciliation in the community everywhere.”

Williams says there needs to be more done by going out to the communities and encouraging young indigenous athletes in all sports.

Williams said she would like to see the Australia Day date changed.

“I’d be all for changing the date. It’s actually one of my good friend’s birthdays so I call it her day not Australia Day, it’s something that keeps my mind off it,” Williams said.

“I think it needs to be educated … educating Australians, understanding how hurtful it is to indigenous people.”

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Originally published as FFA has to grow the indigenous game, says Matildas keeper Lydia Williams