Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the recipients of its 2025 NNSWF Indigenous Scholarships.
The scholarships are designed to reduce barriers by supporting and increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, coaches and referees from across northern NSW to develop in their respective pathways.
Calium Callaghan, Jaylan Hazlewood, Jasmin Smith, Savannah Brazier and Keira McCowan were awarded player scholarships. Luc Bates and Murribi Lester received the referee scholarships and Steve Sharp was awarded the coach scholarship.
Callaghan plays for Lake Macquarie City FC where his team secured the premier-championship double last season. In 2024 he was part of the Talent Support Pathway (TSP) program and represented NNSWF at the NAIDOC Cup.
Hazlewood plays for the Northern Inland Rangers. In 2024, he was part of NNSWF’s TSP and the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS).
Smith is the captain of her team at Charlestown Azzurri and led them to the grand final last season. In 2024, she represented NNSWF at the NAIDOC Cup and was selected in the NNSWF Indigenous Women’s State Cup team where she was also vice-captain.
Brazier plays for Northern Inland Rangers and in 2024 was a part of NIAS, TSP and represented NNSWF at NAIDOC Cup.
McCowan plays for Northern Rivers Football Academy, was part of the TSP and represented NNSWF at the NAIDOC Cup in 2024.
Sharp is a coach at Northen Inland Rangers and is involved with NIAS.
Bates is a Northern NSW Premier Competitions and Hunter Valley Football referee. He officiates across the Premier Youth League and community football competitions.
Lester is a referee who officiates Premier Youth League and community football competitions across the Mid North Coast region.
NNSWF Participation Officer – Schools and First Nations Micheal Hugo said the purpose of the NNSWF Indigenous Scholarships was to help Indigenous players, coaches and referees progress their football journey.
“These recipients will be role models for the next generation of Indigenous players, coaches and referees and will hopefully inspire others from their community,” Hugo said.
‘We want to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, coaches and referees across football while creating more opportunities for them to engage in professional development. These scholarships provide the opportunity to identify and showcase the next generation who have the potential to achieve at the highest levels of the game.
“Congratulations to all of the recipients. We wish them all the best for their future in football.”
