Australia's First Nation’s people have been granted membership to the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) - the global body for countries, regions, minorities and stateless or dispossessed communities who aren't recognised by FIFA.

What's more, their national team of sorts will be coached by the only Indigenous player to have ever captained the Socceroos, retired A-League stalwart Jade North.

It means the 'Mariyas' - which translates to emu in the Dhurga language - could be taking on teams like Tibet, Iraqi Kurdistan, Somaliland, Catalonia and Cascadia when CONIFA stage their next World Football Cup in 2020.

The news caps off a big couple of weeks for Indigenous football, following the $4.5 million grant from the federal government to the John Moriarty Foundation.

Joining CONIFA is another jigsaw piece in the pathway puzzle.

The Mariyas played their first international match in January, losing 3-2 to a New Zealand Maori side in the first instalment of a new trans-Tasman Clash of Cultures series, that will be held every year.

Wollongong will host a rematch in January, as well as a women's fixture and under 14 boys’ and girls’ clashes – with all four sides featuring a number of Shoalhaven products.

The man behind it all is Wreck Bay’s Bernie McLeod, who has organised the National Indigenous Football Championships held at South Nowra’s Ison Park for the last couple of years and helped set up the Mariyas.

CONIFA's general secretary in Asia, Oscar Mussons, got in touch with McLeod after moving to Australia and learning of his endeavours.

Mussons encouraged him to apply on behalf his people to become part of CONIFA and rocked up at this year's national titles with good news: they were in.

"When I sat down and reflected on what it meant, it was very overwhelming and surreal," McLeod told the Hairdryer.

"We're not getting the numbers into the Socceroos and Matildas yet but this way, we're able to put 100 per cent of Indigenous players on the paddock.

“We've got to start somewhere, to build our team infrastructure so other coaches around Australia can see Indigenous people do have that X-factor."

For North, who played for Brisbane Roar last season, it's a unique first step into the coaching realm.

"There's a lot of talent out there that people don't really know about," North said.

"It doesn't get exposed, but there's a lot coming through.

“The more I think about this, the more excited I get by it."

On the open men’s coaching staff, North will be assisted by Anthony Green and manager AJ Roberts, while Mark Wakeling is in charge of the women’s team, with Richard Davis (assistant coach) and Angie McLeod (manager) also on the staff.

While the inaugural under 14 boys’ staff is Mick Hugo (coach), Matt Parker (assistant coach) and Deegan Hunter (manager), while Keifer Dotti (coach), Angie Lonesborough (assistant coach) and Kane Wright (manager) will look after the under 14 girls’ side.

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