Media Release
11 September 2024
Australian national football stars Gema Simon and Joshua Kennedy are running a series of football clinics and knowledge sharing sessions in Jakarta, Bogor and Tangerang from 9 to 11 September 2024. Gema is a former Matilda, playing for the Australian women’s team until 2019, and Joshua is a former Socceroo, playing 36 matches for the Australian men’s team.
"Football is more than just a game, it is a bridge that connects communities, cultures, and nations. As two sport loving nations, it is great to see the universal language of sport bringing people, especially young people, together,” said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams PSM.
While in Indonesia, Josh and Gema have conducted training clinics with students from the Australia-Indonesia Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE) school program SD Islam Al Syukro, disadvantaged children and children with disabilities from the BISA Foundation, emerging young players at the Akademi Sepakbola Intinusa Olah (ASIOP), and the Indonesian National Amputee Football Team.
The Football Federation of Australia (FA) and the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) are partners who work together to exchange ideas, strategies, best practices, as well as strengthening the ties between Australia-Indonesia football communities.
As part of the 75th anniversary of Australia Indonesia diplomatic relations celebrations, the visit coincides with the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying match with Indonesia on Tuesday, 10 September.
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Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBH2UH