THE second instalment of the National Indigenous Football Championships will return to South Nowra’s Ison Park this week.
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After a successful inaugural championships in 2016, which saw the Illawarra Bungarra women’s side and Warrigal Dingoes men’s side claim their respective titles, this year’s event looks set to be even more exciting with 14 men and 11 women’s teams competing.
“We have increased the number of senior teams competing this year as well as adding a junior component to the four days, which is great,” National Indigenous Football Championships director Bernie McLeod said.
“Obviously a large number of team are from NSW but it’s great to see more teams from Queensland involved this year, as well as a team from Darwin and a combined armed forces team.
“I’m expecting a fun few days – obviously there can only be a couple of winners but at the end of the day, it’s more about indigenous people as a whole winning together through the avenue of sport.”
The four day event starts on Wednesday, with Shoalhaven primary school students participating in the Indigenous miniroos program run by Football NSW, from 10am till 5pm at Ison Park – with the welcome to country ceremony running from 4-5pm.
Tournament action gets underway on Thursday, with games running from 8.30am till 4pm.
The group games continue on Friday, running from 8.30 till 12pm.
Team photos will then follow from 12-1pm before the Indigenous miniroos gala day, hosted by the Western Sydney Wanderers runs from 1-4pm.
At the same time as this, the women’s quarter-finals will start, running from 12.30pm till 7pm.
Saturday is the final day of competition and both the men’s and women’s quarter-finals will run from 8.30-11am.
The women’s grand final will take place at 11am before the Johnny Warren Foundation celebrity match is played from 12.30-1.30pm.
The National Indigenous Football Championships relay sprint race will take place at 1.45pm before the men’s grand final kicks-off at 2.30pm – with the presentation to held at the Bomaderry Bowling Club from 6pm.
Admission from Wednesday to Friday is free, while it’s $5 per adult on Saturday.
Teams represented include; Dhubu Dinawan FC, Eora United, Illawarra Bungarra, South Coast Jummalungs, Ladu United, Newcastle All-Stars, North Coast United , North Queensland Dragons, Northern Nations, Roseby Park Salt Water Gatherers, Navy FFA, South Coast Black Swans, Walanga Muru, Warrigal Dingoes and YUIN Sharks.