FOOTBALLERS in Clitheroe will highlight the plight of aboriginals at their first match of the season.

Clitheroe FC's first match in Division One of the North West Counties League against Prescot Cables is being held on behalf of the ATSIC: Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders Commission.

It has been organised by Clitheroe football enthusiast Bruce Dowles, who has visited aboriginal communities in Australia several times and was a volunteer driver for the Australiam team at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

He said: "I have been to Australia for extended periods several times and stayed in aboriginal communities. They are a great people, with a great culture and spirituality, but a lot of young aboriginal men are commiting suicide because of their feelings of alienation and displacement.

"The aboriginals are doing very well in sport, particularly football, and promoting their participation is one way of offering them a greater stake in society.

"I thought sponsoring the first match of the season at Clitheroe FC was a way of raising awareness of this issue."

The match has the backing of the ATSIC, which promotes sporting, health and welfare issues, as well as bosses at Clitheroe FC. The club's premises at Shawbridge will be decked with special posters on match day.

Aboriginal boxers competing at the Commonwealth Games donned Clitheroe FC scarves to show their support.

"They were very interested in the proposed football match and agreed to be photographed with Clitheroe FC scarves just to prove it!" Bruce added.

The Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders Commission was formed in 1990 to promote the welfare rights of aborigines.

The match kicks off at 3pm on August 17 and will be attended by Clitheroe Mayor Mary Robinson.