Tens of thousands of people will swelter through soaring temperatures this weekend to attend one of the country’s biggest Indigenous community events.
Key points:
- About 40,000 people are expected to attend the 51st Koori Knockout on the Central Coast
- Temperatures are forecast to reach 37 degrees Celsius on the third day of the event
- The tournament is a chance for Indigenous families to connect and showcase their rugby league talent
The 51st Koori Knockout will showcase some of the best rugby league talent in Australia, with 150 teams competing across the men’s, women’s and junior tournaments on New South Wales’ Central Coast.
About 40,000 people are expected to attend the event over four days, with temperatures forecast to get as high as 37 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
The huge gathering comes as the nation prepares to vote in a referendum next month on whether to change the constitution to create an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
But organisers are keen to keep the focus on the community gathering and the football.
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Tori Trist, from Mt Druitt in Sydney, captains the Bower Birds, a team competing at the tournament.
She said it provided an opportunity for people to represent their family and bond with relatives.
“It’s about family, culture, bringing everyone together for a good cause,” Ms Trist said.
“In Aboriginal families we get together a lot for sorry business. Knockouts bring family from afar and it’s for a good time.”
Bower Birds player Dollie Ufi said it was a privilege to play in a team with her family.
“It’s powerful to be here. It’s got me a bit emotional but we’re here representing all that have come before us and them who are to come,” she said.
An opportunity to reflect and connect
Rondelle Ryan, an organiser for the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors, said this year was particularly meaningful because the daughter of a woman who first established the club had recently passed away.
“When I did all the jersey presentations I had a little tear … it means a lot,” she said.
Ms Ryan said the Red Belly Warriors started more than three decades ago to create opportunities for Indigenous people in Western Sydney.
“Thirty-two years later, we’ve gone from a men’s only team to now five teams — 13 boys, 15 girls, 15 boys, 17 boys and the men’s,” she said.
“You see mob here that you haven’t seen for years and you get to go around and make sure that everyone is going okay.
“It’s really that modern-day corroboree.”
All eyes on the talent
Since it was established in 1971, the Koori Knockout has attracted big names, such as NRL players Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo Carr and Nicho Hynes.
It is understood Mitchell will play for the Newcastle Yowies this year.
Ms Ryan said it was great that the players gave back to the kids
“You see the big Latrell Mitchell’s and all that walking around,” she said.
“It’s really good that they come back and put back into the kids because our kids are our future.”
Wiradjuri man and Cronulla Sharks centre Jesse Ramien said he fondly remembered playing in the tournament as a kid with his brother and dad.
He said he marked the event in his calendar every year.
“I always looked up to the NRL players that would come and play back at the Knockout so it would be rude for me not to come and give back to the community,” Ramien said.
The event also attracts NRL scouts each year, providing an opportunity for aspiring stars like Luke West, who plays for the Hunter’s Mindaribba Warriors Under 13s side, to get noticed.
“We’ve been building up to it for about 12 months now,” he said.
“I try to bring as much leadership [to the team] as I can and I love the game.”
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