Jade North was lauded as the ultimate team man on the pitch, the gifted centre-back that held defences together.

Not only for the 12 clubs the Biripi man from Taree signed up to across five countries around the footballing world, but while also donning the national crest and colours.

But after 385 professional games and 81 appearances representing Australia, including 41 caps for the senior side, North always felt culturally left on the sidelines.

One of the youngest players to join the former National Soccer League, the 16-year-old also found he was one of the few to reach that level with an Indigenous upbringing. That went on for many years in one of the world's most cosmopolitan games.

Now the co-chair of Football Australia's National Indigenous Advisory Group, North is also one of the key drivers behind the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

"Not having much as an Indigenous kid, I was disadvantaged growing up in a housing commission, you know, not getting all the nice things that you always wanted to – and life was a struggle," North said.

"Having a Voice is something that First Nations people want to aspire, help implement policy around Indigenous procurement, Indigenous ways of life, through to health, to education, to employment – help closing the gap.

"I think for many reasons the Voice will be such a powerful thing. And to be recognised as First Nations, as the first people of this land, as well."

The retired 41-year-old was one of the many Australia's sporting faces, including non-Indigenous identities, that have come out to support this year's referendum.

Campaigning on the detail of the Uluru Statement from the Heart that forms the basis for the proposed advisory board was an "absolute proud moment," he said.

North is calling on football fans, who recognise that sport is played on a level playing field, to get behind the 'Yes' vote later this year.

"Being part of something like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity," North said.

"As we can see today, there'll be a clear message that goes out to the Australia public, that all we want to do is unite and be heard.

"When I first heard about it (the Voice), I was nearly tearing up, you know, because there's gonna be some change.

"We're working towards change and that's all we want."

North was also the brainchild behind the non-for-profit 'Kickin' With a Cuz' program that encourages Indigenous children to follow sustainable pathways to play the game at the highest levels while also making better life choices at its 2017 launch.

The parallels between his program and plans for the Indigenous Voice on matters that deeply concern the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are evident to North on how sport continues to unify Australians.

"Sport is a way of life (in Australia), and it is all about teaching our youngsters, it puts people on the right path, makes you new friends, and sport brings you together," he said.

"If you look at today, who would have thought sport could do this?

"I'm retired now, that's brought me back into it, uniting with 20 different sports."