The Borroloola Strikers, a women’s soccer team from a remote community on the western coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory (NT), will make history as they compete at the First Nations Football Festival in Dubbo this week.

The first team to hail from the remote Borroloola community in many years is preparing to compete at the event, which runs from October 16-18.

The team of talented young women, aged between 14 and 30 – with most under 18 – represents a new chapter for women’s soccer in Borroloola. Many of the players have only recently come together as a team, but their energy, determination, and community spirit have already made them a source of pride for their remote town.

Earlier this year, the Strikers played a friendly match in Darwin against Mindil FC, impressing onlookers with their skills and teamwork, walking away with a win for their efforts.

Since then, the girls have been training every Wednesday at the McArthur River Mine, where they’ve been able to strengthen their abilities and build team spirit.

For many of the Strikers, this is their first time joining a registered competition.

Despite challenges such as limited access to facilities, equipment, and suitable playing fields in their remote hometown, the team has remained committed. With the support of Gulf Youth and Community Service (GYCS), Football NT, the Borroloola community and generous sponsors, they have been able to prepare for the First Nations Football Festival, including organising jerseys, sourcing second-hand boots and shin pads, and fundraising through car washes and raffles.

The trip to Dubbo will be about more than soccer, team management says. It offers a chance for the Strikers to represent Borroloola with pride, meet other Indigenous players, and see the wider opportunities that sport and education can offer.

The young women will also visit Endeavour Sports High School in Sydney, home to the Sydney FC soccer program, to experience training at an elite level.

“This tour is not just about playing games,” said Steve McAllan, General Manager, GYCS.

“It’s about building friendships, discovering strengths, and showing these young women that they can be proud of who they are and where they come from, while also seeing what’s possible beyond home.

“We hope this tour shows what’s possible when community comes together to support young people,” Mr McAllan concluded.

• The First Nations Football Festival will take place at Apex Oval from October 16-18, with finals taking place on Saturday, October 18.