Breaking barriers: Two Indigenous rising stars secure JMF Football Scholarships
John Moriarty Football
8 July 2026
John Moriarty Football’s recent JMF National Talent Showcase unearthed 26 of the country's most promising young female and male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander footballers aged between 12 and 16 years. Following on from this success 15 year old Yasmin Wyld-Hill from Cairns, Qld and 15 year old Matthew Wunsch from Pagewood, NSW have been awarded 12-month JMF Scholarships.
Designed to bridge the gap between grassroots play and the world of elite football, JMF Scholarships offer a life-changing pathway for talented young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players. Yasmin and Matthew will receive wrap-around personalised support, world-class technical and football development as well as mentoring and financial aid to cover club fees, travel and education.
Australia’s first Aboriginal footballer to be selected for Australia and JMF’s co-founder, John Moriarty, says in the 60 years since he retired, the barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to reach the elite levels of football remain.
“The pipeline for Indigenous talent within the football ecosystem just doesn’t exist, it’s never been created. Other football codes show us that Indigenous athletes are extraordinary. They are playmakers. They never just make up the numbers. The NRL and AFL show us that the right strategic and support framework can bring down the barriers, of which there are many, and the game is better for it,” Mr Moriarty said.
JMF wants to see more Indigenous players follow in John’s footsteps. “I would love to see the football community join JMF in doing the heavy lifting and bring a new generation of fresh, exciting Indigenous talent into Australian professional football,” Mr Moriarty said.
Former Chelsea FC Academy Director, UEFA A license holder and JMF Program Manager – Performance and Coaching, Jen Wicks said Yasmine and Matthew have the potential to pursue a professional football career, and with additional support have the opportunity to take their game to another level.
“These are two incredibly exciting players. I’m thrilled to welcome them to the JMF Scholarship program. The JMF team looks forward to working with them, mentoring them and potentially playing a part in their journey to elite football,” Ms Wicks said.
“Yasmine is a dynamic player, quick thinking with an eye for the goal. She is also showing the mental and emotional strength a player needs to succeed in building a professional football career. Matthew is hard-working with impressive raw pace and agility. He’s a natural leader and has a strong desire to be a role model for his community.”
Former A-League player and JMF Ambassador and Scholarships Coordinator, Allira Toby (Kanolu/Gangulu), understands firsthand the barriers Indigenous players face to be involved with the game.
“Growing up my family didn’t have much and they sacrificed a lot so that I could play, and sadly my story is not uncommon. We see plenty of super talented young players who are locked out of the game; maybe it’s because of affordability or it’s because where they live there is no football ecosystem and they need to travel great distances to play competitively,” Ms Toby said.
“This is why initiatives like the JMF National Talent Showcase and JMF’s Scholarship Program are so important. They remove the barriers and create pathways to opportunities that may have seemed impossible before.”
Yasmin Wyld-Hill (Waluwarra/Yirandali) and Matthew Wunsch (Gumbaynggirr/Bidjigal) said they are looking forward to the opportunities the JMF Scholarship program will provide.
“Being awarded a JMF scholarship was a big surprise! I was really lucky to play with so many talented players at the JMF National Talent Showcase. I feel very grateful for JMF’s support and am excited for the opportunity,” said Yasmin.
“I am very fortunate to receive this scholarship and represent John Moriarty Football. I will embrace this opportunity with pride and look forward to representing JMF, culture and Country,” Matthew said.
JMF inaugural scholarship holder, Shadeene (Shay) Evans, is a testament to the pathways JMF creates.
All the way from the remote community of Borroloola in the Northern Territory, Evans was awarded a JMF Scholarship at 13 years of age after being scouted by former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.
In 2019 Evans debuted with Sydney FC and was selected as a Young Matilda and named vice-captain. She went on to play for Adelaide United and the Central Coast Mariners, and was part of the latter’s 2025 premiership-winning team. In 2025 Evans secured her first international signing and played with Thai club BGC-College of Asian Scholars in the qualifying rounds of the 2025/26 AFC Women’s Champions League.
JMF is an award-winning program that uses football to positively engage over 3,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth aged 2 to 18 years of age annually, with groundbreaking impacts on health, education and wellbeing. JMF delivers to 16 communities and 18 public schools in NT, NSW and Qld.
JMF is delivered by Moriarty Foundation, an Indigenous children’s charity that is creating a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive and reach their potential.
For more information visit www.jmf.org.au
ENDS
Media contact:
Jo Gitsham
0404 837 609
Available upon request:
- High resolution images of Yasmine and Matthew
- High resolution images from the JMF National Talent Showcase held 30 May 2026
- Head shots of key spokespeople
- Interviews with:
- Former A-Leagues player and JMF Ambassador, Allira Toby (Kanolu/Gangulu).
- Former Chelsea FC Academy Director, UEFA A license holder and JMF Program Manager - Performance and Coaching, Jen Wicks.
- Scholarship holders, Yasmin Wyld-Hill (Waluwarra/Yirandali) and Matthew Wunsch (Gumbaynggirr/Bidjigal), plus family member/s
- JMF Inaugural Scholarship Holder and JMF Ambassador, Shadeene Evans (Marra)
Additional statements:
“The connection and encouragement throughout the whole JMF National Talent Showcase experience was amazing. From the professional footballer workshops and 1:1s with A leagues players to the team building activities, training and PFA session, and the nail biting, exciting game on the Showcase weekend was not just supportive but very inspiring for Yasmin. All of the staff were so involved and connected. The JMF experience was so much more than football. We are very thankful for JMF’s support,” said Sally Wyld (Yasmin’s mother).
“Matthew’s selection for this scholarship rewards Matt for his hard work and commitment. The recognition together with the development and support from international players and coaches will allow Matthew to be his best. Matt will represent John Moriarty Football proudly. We are proud of him and indebted to John Moriarty Football,” said Gumbaynggirr man Craig Wunsch (Matthew’s father).
Editor’s notes:
A UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) License is highly prestigious, representing one of the highest qualifications in European football. It is a mark of significant expertise and experience, recognised globally as a high standard for coaching education. Learn more here.
About John Moriarty Football
John Moriarty Football (JMF) is an award-winning initiative that harnesses the power of football to positively engage Indigenous children and youth aged 2-18 years, supporting education, health, wellbeing and connection to Country.
JMF’s majority Indigenous coaching teams are employed from our local communities and maintain a continuous presence. JMF delivers sessions five to six days a week in schools, at before and after school sessions, holiday clinics and tournaments.
Facebook: @JohnMoriartyFootball
Instagram: @footballjmf
Twitter: @FootballJMF
Web: www.jmf.org.au
About Moriarty Foundation
Moriarty Foundation is a community-led (ACCO) Indigenous children’s charity that is creating a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive. Its groundbreaking programs, Indi Kindi and John Moriarty Football, harness the power of sport and education to create pathways to improved outcomes in education, wellbeing, health and employment. Moriarty Foundation’s programs are delivered through an Aboriginal Worldview that celebrates, nurtures and respects cultural identity, traditions and connection to Country. https://www.moriartyfoundation.org.au/