Date Time NAIDOC Week 2021: How Charles Perkins harnessed power of football to make Australian history “Perkins was a champion – a real Ben Hur, smashing his way through Australia’s race politics, and football was his chariot” – Johnny Warren. Not only was Charles Perkins a fierce advocate and visionary for the rights of Indigenous Australians, he was also an immense pioneer for Australian football. As Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week 2021, it marks a fitting time to delve into the story of a man whose renowned journey was intertwined with a love for the game of football. He was a figure who left his mark playing the world game on Australian shores and beyond, during some incredibly valuable time spent overseas.