Share Article

First Nations soccer squads announced

April 8, 2026

Football Australia has announced the all-First Nations Charles Perkins XI squads for the upcoming 2026 CommBank Emerging Matildas and CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships.

This year, across the players and staff, there are more than 40 different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mobs being represented at the Emerging Championships.

The First Nations youth squads are named after Dr Charles Perkins AO, one of Australia’s most influential figures in both football and civil rights.

An Arrernte and Kalkadoon man, Perkins was an elite midfielder during the 1950s, playing for Adelaide Croatia and Pan Hellenic, and was a regular representative for the South Australian state team.

Inspiring generations

He later served the game off the field as vice‑president of the Australian Soccer Federation and was inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

Beyond his football achievements, Perkins was a trailblazer for Indigenous rights in Australia.

He became the nation’s first Aboriginal university graduate and rose to prominence as the leader of the 1965 Freedom Rides, a defining moment in the fight against racial discrimination.

His legacy continues to inspire generations through his lifelong commitment to equality, justice and social change.

The CommBank Emerging Matildas and CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships are a cornerstone of Football Australia’s national talent identification and development pathway, providing a critical platform for Australia’s most promising young footballers to showcase their ability in front of national team technical staff.

Gema Simon, head coach of the girls XI said she was honoured to continue to be part of the Charles Perkins XI and to see the program grow.

“This year, we have more member federations represented in our squad. The opportunity and experience for the players involved is priceless,” she said.

David Williams, head coach of the boys XI said he was excited and grateful to have the opportunity to coach the Charles Perkins XI again.

Opportunity to open doors

“It’s always a great experience working with these young boys, giving them a safe and professional environment to enjoy their football and grow.” he said.

“What makes it even better is the opportunity for them to be seen by A‑League clubs and national team scouts from across the country. It’s all about giving them a platform and helping open doors for their future in the game.”

Courtney Fewquandie, general manager – First Nations at Football Australia said the program was one of a kind, and a first in Australian sport.

“To place an all‑First Nations team, including staff and players, into the Emerging Championships provides a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity for participants to test their talents against the country’s best young footballers,” she said.

“We have seen enormous growth during the 11 days players spend in camp each year, connecting with each other and with culture. At the centre of a challenging tournament environment, this experience provides everyone with the opportunity to grow and rise to the occasion.

A connection opportunity

“Some of our players and staff live in very rural or remote areas or face barriers to accessing high‑performance football environments.

“This program acts as a connection opportunity for players to showcase their talents for consideration for future local, state and national team selection.

“Often, our players find themselves as the only Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander footballer in their team or club, so this is a wonderful opportunity for them to meet and connect with more First Nations people in the game.”

GIRLS SQUAD

Jamyshia ANDERSON	Noongar	Forward	Balga SC	Football West
Cydnee AVERY	Kamilaroi	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers	Football NSW
Bianca‑Ann BROOKER	Biripi & Gunditjmara	Defender	South Melbourne	Football VIC
Hannah FARAG	Wangkumarra	Midfield	Western City Rangers	Football NSW
Breanna Lee FORD	Wiradjuri	Midfield	Central Coast Mariners	Northern NSW Football
Ruby GRANT	Wiradjuri	Midfield	Picton Rangers	Football NSW
Mariah HAMMOUD	Kamilaroi	Midfield	Western City Rangers	Football NSW
Indee LEWIS	Widjabul	Midfield	Brisbane City FC	Football QLD
Kirra MEALE	Wiradjuri	Defender	Central Coast Mariners	Football NSW
Leighton PAUZA	Kalkatungu	Defender	Wynnum Wolves FC	Football QLD
Payton SHARP	Dunghutti	Defender	Northern Inland Rangers	Northern NSW Football
Lillianah SKAINES	Kamilaroi	Goalkeeper	Lake Macquarie City FC	Northern NSW Football
Isabella SMYTH	Wiradjuri	Forward	Narromine SC	Football NSW
Ella SPROATES	Wiradjuri & Yuin	Forward	Northern Inland Rangers	Northern NSW Football
Elizabeth STEPTOE	Wiradjuri	Goalkeeper	Western Sydney Wanderers	Football NSW
Isabella TAYLOR	Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung & Wakka Wakka	Midfield	Abbotsleigh	Northern NSW Football
Evie VITNELL	Kamilaroi	Midfield	Newcastle Jets	Northern NSW Football
Eliana WHITE	Worimi	Forward	FSA	Football SA

BOYS SQUAD

Trey ANDERSON	Awabakal	Forward	Maitland FC	Northern NSW Football
Lachlan BLAYDEN	Kamilaroi & Awabakal	Forward	Newcastle Jets	Northern NSW Football
NJ BRU	Wathaurong	Midfield	APIA Leichhardt	Football NSW
Cailum CALLAGHAN	Worimi & Gringai	Goalkeeper	Maitland FC	Northern NSW Football
Blake CHIAUZZI	Gudjal	Defender	Parkside United	Football QLD
Braelyn COLE	Nywaigi	Defender	Burdekin FC	Football QLD
Jack CROWE	Wiradjuri	Forward	Murray United	Football NSW
Corbin DOWELL	Wiradjuri & Ngunnawal	Defender	Playford Patriots	Football SA
Joshua FARDELL	Wiradjuri	Defender	Edgeworth Eagles	Football NSW
Alex GARDE	Kamilaroi	Defender	Newcastle Jets	Northern NSW Football
Rockie GRUBER	Koori	Midfield	Valentine FC	Northern NSW Football
Jimmi MATTHEWS	Ngemba	Defender	Gold Coast United	Football QLD
Nash ROBINSON	Koori	Goalkeeper	APIA Leichhardt	Football NSW
Phoenix ROSS	Kuku Yalanji & Maluiligal	Midfield	Stratford Dolphins	Football QLD
Kobe SEYMOUR	Wiradjuri	Midfield	CWFC	Football NSW
Ehtan SHEEN	Giabal	Midfield	Malvern City	Football VIC
Harry SIMMONS	Wiradjuri	Midfield	Wagga City Wanderers	Football NSW
Jayavai SURYA‑PEDDELL	Ngarabal	Midfield	Manningham FC	Football VIC

Peter Rowe

Peter Rowe leads First Nations News as Editor, with over three decades of experience across international newsrooms, digital platforms and media strategy roles. For the past 20 years, he’s worked in Australia – reporting, editing and advising on stories that shape public debate.