Aboriginal Indigenous sport

If anything else transcends race, intolerance or discrimmination, it is sport. —Steve Stacey, Executive Officer Nyoongar Sports Association Malaga, Western Australia [3]

Aboriginal players in Rugby League and Australian Rules

Aboriginal people seem to have a natural talent to excel in Rugby League. In the National Rugby League 11% of the players were of Indigenous heritage. In 2008 Australia's national Rugby League team saw a record number of five Aboriginal players (38%) in their ranks of 13:

• Greg Inglis, winger
• Justin Hodges, centre
• Jonathan Thurston, halfback
• Greg Bird, lock
• Carl Webb (interchange)

Aboriginal people themselves account for only about 2.3% of Australia's population (2008 figures), yet they account for more than five times that percentage of elite footballers [8].

Australian rules football has a special place in the culture of many Aboriginal communities. In some instances it has become as much as 'an obsession' and a tool to keep children in school and promote healthy lifestyle messages [1].

AFL is loved 'with a passion' from the Tiwi Islands in the north to the game's spiritual home in Melbourne in the south [8].

In many communities the 'footy' plays a crucial role in keeping people together, offering them an opportunity to meet and exchange news while they cheer the team on [8] — very similar to traditional times when large Aboriginal groups met if seasonal food was in plentiful supply. In this way every football game is an avenue to health and well-being for each individual.

When we play football there's that connection with the land that we are on and the way that we play. When you see two brothers or three brothers playing on the same team you can just see this natural ability shine through. —Adam Goodes, Aboriginal football player [1]

Indigenous players in Australian Football League 2008-2009

Club	Aboriginal players [7,16,18]
Adelaide (SA)	Jonathon Griffin, Andrew McLeod, Graham Johncock, Jarrhan Jacky, Tony Armstrong, Jared Petrenko, Ed Curnow
Brisbane Lions (QLD)	Anthony Corrie, Rhan Hooper, Ashley McGrath, Albert Proud, Jason Roe, Sam Sheldon
Carlton (VIC)	Joe Anderson, Clint Benjamin, Eddie Betts, Andrew Walker, Jeffrey Garlett, Chris Yarran
Collingwood (VIC)	Anthony Corrie, Leon Davis, Brad Dick, Chris Egan, Shannon Cox, Sharrod Wellingham, John Bennell
Essendon (VIC)	Alwyn 'Froggy' Davey, Courtenay Dempsey, Leroy Jetta, Andrew Lovett, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Paddy Ryder, Jarrod Atkinson, Dean Dick
Fremantle (WA)	Jeff Farmer, Antoni Grover, Roger Hayden, Des Headland, Stephen Hill, Michael Johnson, Calib Mourish, Casey Sibosado, Clancee Pearce, Michael Walters
Geelong (VIC)	Liam Bedford, Nathan Djerrkura, Stephen Motlop, Mathew Stokes, Adam Varcoe, Travis Varcoe
Hawthorn (VIC)	Chance Bateman, Lance 'Buddy' Franklin, Mark Williams, Cyril 'Junior Boy' Rioli, Cameron Stokes, Carl Peterson
Kangaroos (North Melbourne; VIC)	Matt Campbell, Eddie Sansbury, Daniel Wells, Lindsay Thomas, Cruize Garlett, Warren Benjamin, Cruzie Garlett
Port Adelaide (SA)	Peter Burgoyne, Shaun Burgoyne, Nathan Krakouer, Daniel Motlop, Marlon Motlop, Danyle Pearce, Wade Thompson
Melbourne (VIC)	Jamie Bennell, Aaron Davey, Neville Jetta, Liam Jurrah, Isaac Weetra, Matthew Whelan, Austin Wonaeamirri
Richmond (VIC)	Jarrad Oeakley-Nichols, Richard Tambling, Shane Edwards, Clayton Collard, Alroy Gilligan
St Kilda (VIC)	Raphael Clarke, Xavier Clarke, Ross Tangutulum
Sydney Swans (NSW)	Adam Goodes, Michael O'Loughlin
West Coast (WA)	David Wirrpanda, Liam Bedford, Adam Cockie
Western Bulldogs (VIC)	Jarrod Harbrow, Malcolm Lynch, Brennan Stack, Joshua Hill, Liam Jones

First NRL Indigenous All Stars team

In November 2009 the National Rugby League (NRL) announced its first Indigenous All Star team which played the NRL All Stars in a pre-season game on February 13, 2010 (two years to the day since the Australian government's apology to the Stolen Generations).

Preston Campbell who was part of the team tells his feelings when he visited his home town [15]: "I realised that the support [shown by his people] was not just for me or even the team. There was a sense of pride that we were representing them and that the game had recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the special relationship we have with rugby league. And I also realised that we were representing those who had gone before us and that we were also fulfilling their dreams."

"We will take the spirit of our own mob on to the field and that will give us the personal strength to take on the might of the assembled NRL All Stars. We will also carry a special strength generated by the game commemorating the Stolen Generations on the second anniversary of the apology given by the Prime Minister [Kevin Rudd], who will be at the ground. This will have a special meaning for a number of the boys, including myself, whose family histories were affected by those times."

"All these emotions will come together in a collective sense of pride in our culture and our history. Many people say we will be making history. I would like to think we are honouring history."

The Indigenous All Stars won 16:12.

The Indigenous All Stars were [13]: Carl Webb (Cowboys), Cory Paterson (Knights), D Laurie (Panthers), George Rose (Sea Eagles), Greg Inglis (Storm), Jamal Idris (Bulldogs), Jamie Soward (Dragons), Jharal Yow Yeh (Broncos), Joel Thompson (Raiders), Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys), J Hodges (Broncos), Nathan Merritt (Rabbitohs), PJ Marsh (Broncos), Preston Campbell (Titans), Sam Thaiday (Broncos), Scott Prince (Titans), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders), Travis Waddell (Raiders), Wendell Sailor (Dragons, his last match), Yileen Gordon (Bulldogs).

Indigenous Australian Football League (AFL) fact file

This is a small snapshot of Aboriginal AFL statistics in 2008 [4]:

• The AFL's Indigenous programs reach more than 87,000 Aboriginal people or 36% of Australia's Aboriginal population.
• 25 Australian Football Indigenous academies operate across the country.
• Four AFL clubs engage with Aboriginal communities: Essendon (Wadeye), Geelong (Gove and Groote), Richmond (Alice Springs) and Collingwood (Katherine).
• 189 Indigenous players play AFL/VFL football.
• 72 players are on AFL club lists, an historic record.
• Indigenous football players make up 10% of the AFL competition, another historic record.
• 14 Aboriginal players have played 200 games or more, 7 more than 250 games, one has reached 300 games (Gavin Wanganeen).
• 156 Indigenous players have made their AFL/VFL debut since 1980. Only 23 did so prior to 1980.

Australian Indigenous cricket tour 1868, 1988 & 2009

In 1868 an all-Indigenous cricket squad formed. It played its first game at Manly Oval, a Prime Minister's XI, led by Bob Hawke [14]. The team then left for Britain. It took them over six weeks to make the trip by boat. Led by star all-rounder Johnny Mullagh, they won 14, lost 14 and drew 19 of their 47 games over six months.

It was the first sports team to represent Australia overseas, 14 years before the first Ashes tour.

In 1988 a 17-member Aboriginal Cricket Association team celebrated the 120th anniversary of the tour by travelling to England. Captained by John Maquire the team played 28 games, winning 16 of them. They met the Queen at Buckingham Palace and went backstage at an INXS concert.

In 2009 a squad of 14 Aboriginal players aged 16-26 left Brisbane, Queensland, on 20 June to retrace some of the famous 1868 tour. They played 11 matches within a month, some at the grounds where the tourists of 141 years ago visited.

This time the Indigenous cricket team won 8, lost 3 and drew 1 of their 12 games.

In the 132 years sinced the first Test match was played, Jason Gillespie is the only Indigenous player to have represented Australia at cricket [10].

It's only a matter of time before Indigenous people make their mark in first-class cricket, particularly with the popularity of Twenty/20.—Dan Christian, Indigenous cricketer [11]

Aboriginal soccer

The inaugural Indigenous Football Festival was held in Townsville, Queensland, in July 2009. It is a first attempt to get Aboriginal Australians to embrace soccer. The festival targeted mainly young socceroos who played matches, attended coaching clinics and team-building activities.

In May 2009 the Borroloola Cyclones, a team of 15–18-year-old Aboriginal youth, became the first all-Indigenous soccer team to play an international match during the Arafura Games, held every two years in Darwin, Northern Territory [12]. Because Aussie rules is the dominant football code in the Territory, soccer is referred to as 'round-ball'. Borroloola is about 950 kms south-east of Darwin.

Aboriginal sporting events

Aboriginal people love their sport. Here's a list of popular Aboriginal sporting events:

• Aboriginal Power Cup (APC): The Aboriginal Power Cup was created in April 2008 and targets Aboriginal students. They must attend at least 70% of their classes to attend this sporting event.
• Badu Island of Origin is an annual Rugby League contest which started in 1994 and is staged on Badu Island in the Torres Strait.
• Barunga Festival: One of the Northern Territory's biggest annual festivals over the June long weekend in the Jawoyn community, about 80km south-east of Kathering. Besides sport the festival offers cultural events like spear-throwing, music, dance and cultural activities.
• Cairns All Blacks carnival is held in October in Queensland.
• Dan Ropeyarn Memorial Rugby League Carnival takes place at Bamaga, a small community 40kms south of the tip of Cape York in far north Queensland.

• David Peachey Foundation Aboriginal Rugby League Carnival is held anually in Dubbo (NSW).
• Dingo Cup cricket competition, held since 2003.
• Dunheved Aboriginal Golf Championship. The first championship was held in October 1979 at the Dunheved course at St Marys in Sydney's west. It's a 36-hole medal/strokeplay event.
• Ella 7s Rugby union carnival, which started as an annual event in 2009 and is staged in Coffs Harbour, NSW.
• First Contact Sports and Cultural Festival was 2008 in its 15th year. It is held in Brisbane, QLD, and was founded by Robbie Williams. Many market stalls offer products art and craft of Aboriginal businesses.
• Generation Cup, held since 1995 in Launceston, Tasmania, is a battle between young and old teams of netball, softball and football.
• Henaway Cup is an annual golf event in Queensland, founded by Pastor Les Henaway. Aboriginal and non-Indigenous contestants are allowed.
• Indigenous Reconciliation Rugby League Carnival started in 2009 in Rockhampton, Queensland, and involves sixteen rugby league teams.
• National Indigenous Golf Championship started in 2006 and is staged at changing locations across Australia.
• Newcastle Koori netball tournament started in 1999 and attracts over 200 players from all across New South Wales.
• National Indigenous Golf Tournament was co-founded in 1979 in Victoria by Syd Jackson. The tournament is held anually at changing locations in Australia.
• NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Carnival is one of the biggest Indigenous gatherings in Australia. The next knockout is held at the winner's town.
• NSW Indigenous Athletics Championships is a fun, safe and competitive environment for athletes aged 5-21 years. The event also offers educational, craft and career information stalls.
• Rainforest Cup is an Indigenous cricket carnival held at Tully in Queensland, which is regarded Australia's wettest town.
• Seaswift Island of Origin Series Rugby League Carnival, held for three days on Thursday Island, offers one of the richest prizemoneys of an all-blacks carnival in Queesland. 2009 saw the 24th carnival.
• South Australian Aboriginal Cultural and Sport Festival is held at Moonta (150km north-west of Adelaide) in September. The 2.5-day festival attracts a crowd of several thousand people.
• Toowoomba NAIDOC Golf Classic is an 18-hole golf tournament which takes place annually in southern Queensland.
• Torres Strait Island of Origin Rugby League carnival: Held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June, usually on Thursday Island or Badu. 2010 sees the 25th anniversary of the Rugby League carnival.
• Vern and Frank Daisy Cup Rugby League carnival is held in Townsville, north Queensland, every year in February. The carnival started in 2006 and is named after two great Rugby League footballers to come out of north Queensland.
• Woorabinda Pastoral Company Indigenous Reconciliation Rugby League Carnival consists of a 16-team men's Rugby League knockout and an 8-team women's touch football competition. The carnival started in 2008 and aims to initiate reconciliation through a celebration of Indigenous culture, arts and sport.
• Zenadth Kes Cup is a Rugby League carnival held on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. The cup is 'one of the biggest events on the Torres Strait Islands sporting and social calendar' [9]. Many teams reach Thursday Island by powered dinghies.

National Indigenous Games?

Plans are underway for annual national Indigenous Games, a move initiated by the Australian Indigenous Games Foundation (AIGF) which was founded in May 2008.

The main aim of the games will be to build self-esteem and confidence. AIGF President Bob McCullough says that "the Australian Indigenous Games will contribute significantly to the development of Indigenous communities, encouraging young people to strive for excellence and develop skills in life and sport. This will develop into pride in the community and pride in being Indigenous." [5]

Aboriginal sport resources

National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy

The National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) helps Aboriginal children achieve their sporting and academic goals and possibly becoming a sports star in their field.

NASCA was founded in 1995 and is set up as a mentoring initiative. It offers sporting, academic and health programs for Indigenous children, including ARMTour (Athletes as Role Models Tour) where famous Aboriginal athletes visit remote communities to promote healthy lifestyles and give the children a hands-on sporting experience.

The academy does not run the sports programs but has partnerships with sporting institutions such as NRL, AFL, NSW Institute of Sports, Cricket NSW, Cricket NT, National Women's Basketball League and Softball Australia [6].

National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA)
Suite 1009a, Level 10
MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9221 8655
Fax: 02 9221 8322

www.nasca.com.au

Out of respect for Aboriginal culture I use Indigenous sources as much as possible.
[1] 'A racist? What rot!', Koori Mail 426, p.85 [2] 'Tide waits for no-one', Koori Mail 453 p.93 [3] 'A sporting goal', Koori Mail 444 p.28 [4] 'Huge celebration of Indigenous football', Koori Mail 427 p.101 [5] 'Games plan forges ahead', Koori Mail 441 p.78 [6] 'NASCA ready for a big year', Koori Mail 454 p.35 [7] 'AFL's 150th year a worthy celebration', Koori Mail 438 p.80 [8] 'Fitzroy Stars are still shining', NIT 7/8/2008 p.28 [9] 'Footy fever hits TI', Koori Mail 439 p.34 [10] 'Raising the profile', Koori Mail 454 p.81 [11] 'Yarning with Dan Christian', Koori Mail 454 p.80 [12] 'Borroloola Cyclones will play ther part in history', Koori Mail 450 p.80 [13] 'Indigenous honour', MX newspaper, 20/11/2009 [14] 'Documentary now on DVD', Koori Mail 467 p.75 [15] 'Learning to be legends', Koori Mail 469 p.80