The birth of a junior football league in a remote Aboriginal town in Western Australia's north has been credited with helping reduce youth crime, strengthen relationships between police and young people, and open pathways to Perth.
It's Wednesday night in Fitzroy Crossing, 400 kilometres east of Broome. The grass is soaked from heavy wet-season rain.
But the recent flooding is no deterrent.
Dozens of young players from across the valley run barefoot and boldly onto the oval, warming up before the whistle blows.
It has been two years since the Central Kimberley Football Basketball League (CKFBL) relaunched junior football in Fitzroy Crossing, working alongside the WA Football Commission and Garnduwa to secure long-term support.
A change in State Government KidSport policy, led by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, opened the door for more Indigenous children to access funding, creating a stable financial base for the competition.
Local sponsorship from Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation and Leedal Group helped cement the program's future, allowing it to grow beyond a weekly game into a broader community initiative.
Senior Sergeant Mark Howes, Officer in Charge at Fitzroy Crossing Police Station, wears a different title on the oval — coordinator of the junior football program.
In the aftermath of COVID-19 and the catastrophic 2023 Fitzroy Valley floods, Sgt Howes and other community leaders saw an opportunity.
With no organised junior sport in town and concerns about youth offending, they believed football could offer structure, connection and a positive outlet.
What has played out on the field — teamwork and routine — has begun to show off it.
"We've seen the behaviours change," Sgt Howes told National Indigenous Times.
"Some of the young people that were involved in crime either aren't involved now, or they may still be dabbling in that field but the time when they do that has really stretched out."
Sgt Howes said football has fostered closer ties between Fitzroy's youth and police.
"It gives that common bond between us, and it gives me, as a policeman, the opportunity to work with them and build that relationship," he said.
CKFBL community development officer Callan Hatchman has also seen the shift across the Fitzroy Valley.
"Through the connections with local police, CKFBL staff and volunteers, we've found some of those kids who were potentially going down a not-so-desirable path have really turned it around through football," Mr Hatchman told National Indigenous Times.
"It's brought about positivity through that engagement and access to the mentors we can provide."
Mentors — who are often older players who grew up in the Fitzroy Valley — say the impact has been lasting.
One described wanting to see the program "go on forever".
Players agree.
Lachie, who plays in both the junior and senior competitions, said it had helped people "get out of the house — especially those who may have been struggling to do so".
The benefits have extended beyond Fitzroy Crossing. Several players have travelled to Broome, Derby, Halls Creek and Kununurra for carnivals — and some have begun attracting attention further afield.
"Through the Wednesday nights and our Saturday football, and everybody who's got on board working in football, we've been able to support those kids to get to Perth, to access those opportunities and hopefully take their football a lot further," Mr Hatchman said.
Sgt Howes said the program recently celebrated a milestone.
"Since we started junior football again, we've had our first player - Ikeem Brown - go to Perth, trial and be selected for the Claremont Football Club Futures program," he said.
"we're all so proud of him. We're hoping he's the first of many to make that transition."
But those behind the program say the story is bigger than football.
"It's not just about the game," Sgt Howes said.
"It's about football being the common thing that allows the bridging of gaps and the making of opportunities."
