2025 First Nations Youth Squads, Perkins XI Revealed

In honour of one of Australia's most influential figures in sport and civil rights, Football Australia is proud to announce the renaming of its First Nations youth football programs to the Charles Perkins XI, with the 2025 squads for the Emerging Socceroos and Emerging Matildas Championships also revealed today.

The name change, endorsed by the Perkins family and recommended by the National Indigenous Advisory Group, recognises the remarkable legacy of Dr Charles Perkins AO - a trailblazer, footballer, and tireless advocate for equality. An elite midfielder in the 1950s, Perkins played for Adelaide Croatia and Pan Hellenic, was a regular in the South Australian state team, and later served as vice-president of the Australian Soccer Federation.

Beyond the pitch, the Arrernte and Kalkadoon man became the first Aboriginal university graduate, led the 1965 Freedom Rides, and remains one of the most revered figures in the nation's history. Today's announcement coincides with the 25th anniversary of his induction into the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

Former Socceroo and mentor Fred Agius shared: "I have a great connection to Uncle Charlie, who was one of my mentors growing up. He alongside my Uncle Vincent Copley and Uncle John Moriarty (who all grow up together) had a huge part to play in steering me and my career in the right direction," said Agius.  

 "Without their stories, cultural knowledge, football advice and advice in general - I wouldn't have had the drive and courage to move away from home at a young age, work hard and fight for the career that I wanted for myself.

"I'm super stocked to hear that we can honour one of our greatest advocates, who always supported young indigenous players and their pathways," he concluded.

The Charles Perkins XI represents more than a name - it reflects Football Australia's commitment to embedding cultural identity and leadership in its high-performance pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.

Courtney Fewquandie, Football Australia's General Manager - First Nations said: "This is more than a name change, it's a tribute to a giant of our game and our nation. Dr Perkins' legacy is one of courage, conviction, and transformative change."

"The Perkins XI ensures that every young player selected is part of something bigger - a movement, a legacy, and a proud tradition of First Nations excellence in football."

The announcement also marks the unveiling of the 2025 Charles Perkins XI squads selected to compete at the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships and Emerging Socceroos Championships this June and July. These squads bring together the top Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth talent from across the country, supported by a refreshed coaching and technical team.

"I played at this exact competition when I was 16 and from there, I made a 19-year professional football career representing Australia at all levels. So this is where it starts for my boys. Hugely proud to be given this opportunity to coach this First Nations team and thankful we could get this initiative off the ground through a great team whose passion has made this possible."

Quotes attributable to Travis Dodd, Technical Director:

"I am looking forward to my role as Technical Director of the Charles Perkins XI Boys & Girls team at the upcoming CommBank Emerging Socceroos & Matildas Championships."

"Throughout my professional career in Australia the Indigenous representation in the men's league was minimal. These championships are a fantastic opportunity for the players to be able to showcase their talents in front of national team coaches, which they may not have previously had."

"These age groups are the beginning of the national team journey, and I would love to see players selected from these invitational teams to represent Australia. Charles Perkins was a pioneer and leader for indigenous footballers and to be playing under his name is a huge honour for me."

2025 Emerging Socceroos Championships Squad: 6 - 11 July 2025 (Home of the Matildas)

2025 Emerging Matildas Championships Squad: 15 - 20 July 2025 (Valentine Sports Park)