Socceroos Odyssey

“I cannot say anything but congratulate John on this book-something so powerful and so strong. The story of the Socceroos on the world stage is a magnificent story across so many decades and campaigns full of incredible joy and heartache.”

(the late) Rale Rasic OAM

Professor John Maynard is a Worimi Aboriginal man from the Port Stephens region of NSW and a Professor of Indigenous Education and Research at the University of Newcastle. He has held several major positions and served on numerous prominent organizations and committees including Deputy Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association, New South Wales History Council, Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council, Australian Research Council College of Experts, National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network and the NSW Fulbright Selection Committee. He gained his Ph.D. in 2003, examining the rise of early Aboriginal political activism. He has worked with and within many Aboriginal communities, urban, rural, and remote. Professor Maynard’s publications have concentrated on the intersections of Aboriginal political and social history, and the history of Australian race relations. John is a passionate football fan and the author of several books on Aboriginal people and sport.