But that's not why he joined the program as a director roughly a decade ago and it's not why he remains so passionate about it now.

"Yes, kids can kick a ball and, yes, we're sure some will go and play for the Matildas and Socceroos but we also want them to be raising their voice and demonstrating immense respect and understanding of their culture," he said.

Foster was speaking at Apex Oval on Saturday as one of the many high-profile guests at the JMF community gala day in Dubbo which was as part of Indigenous Football Week.

Foster is not just another former player lending his face or voice to a cause.

He is a strong advocate for players' rights in the game and, on a larger scale, human rights in this country and overseas.

He's been an ambassador for Amnesty International and made headlines around the globe when successfully campaigning to have Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi released after he was detained in Thailand.

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It's those values that helps him connect with JMF as it works to make a better life for Indigenous children in regional and remote areas.

"To go into Borroloola (in far north Northern Territory), a really remote community, and to stay all-year round and to train every day with the kids and to look after them and mentor them and make sure their nutrition is fine and help them with family and social problems is hard work and takes massive commitment," he said.

"There's not lot of sporting programs that do that so JMF is, if not unique, it's one of very, very few in the country.

"While football is the vehicle which we all come together through our shared passion it's about so much more than kicking a ball."

Foster describes JMF as having a "holistic approach" and it's because of that he's confident it will continue to grow.

In less than a decade, after starting in Moriarty's home of Borroloola, the program now reaches 1300 kids aged 6-16 every week. One of the 13 programs run is based in Dubbo and the players who have developed through it were in action during Saturday's gala day.

And when Moriarty himself talks about the program's development in that time he lights up.

It's easy to understand why.

Morairty was another at Apex Oval on Saturday, while Football Federation Australia chief executive James Johnson, and Matildas and JMF ambassadors Gema Simon and Jada Whyman were also in attendance.

"You can't help but throw your chest out and wish the kids all the best," Moriarty said when looking at how far the program has come.

"Look at Jada, she's here supporting these kids. She knows how valuable it was for her to come through the system and to get her where she is.

"Just chatting with her she says she's just keen to be around the kids and be with them and hopefully inspire some."

JMF now runs in 13 communities around the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW and reaches roughly 1300 players ranging from 6 to 16 years of age each week.

Twenty-five participants have gone on to play for regional and representative sides, with the most successful being Shay Evans.

From Borroloola, Evans was the first scholarship holder and last year was named vice-captain of the Young Matildas while she also plays for Sydney FC in the W-League

"When I was young, Aboriginals were one side and white people were on the other," Moriarty said.

"But now we come together and football realises that. Football is that connection."