For the second straight year, Tyrone Nye-Williams, from David Carpenter’s Roseby Park Saltwater Gatherers, and Yuin’s Lewis Archibald have been named in the Australian First Nation’s ‘Mariya’ open men’s squad – which will take on the New Zealand Maori side in January in Wollongong.

The pair will be joined in the open men’s squad by fellow Shoalhaven products Thomas Matthews, Matthew White, David Hampton, Brendan Fordham, Adam Russell, Lochlan Hucman and Jordan Roberts

While in the women’s squad, the Shoalhaven will be represented once again by Summer Dann and Ricki Reid – who both played in the inaugural side – alongside Shaeley Aldridge, Kalinda Wills, Lexi Carter, Jasmine Tann and Jada Brown, who have all been named for the first time.

This year also marks the first time the Australian First Nation’s ‘Mariya under 14 boys’ and girls’ sides have been named.

The under 14s boys’ team will be headlined by Shoalhaven’s Thomas Van Oploo, Kahlan Carpenter and Tyreese Parker.

While Vincentia High School sextet Kahliah Brown, Mirina Simms, Keyala Brown, Leotia Brown, Ebonee Luland and Jenna Langennegger, along with Priscilla Dann, have been named in the inaugural under 14s girls’ team.

To put this massive achievement in perspective, during the National Indigenous Football Championships, 432 athletes competed in the two open divisions and 128 kids played in the under 14 boy and girls age group – with 30 different referees being involved, from areas such as Kempsey, Wagga Wagga and Tamworth.

Open men’s squad: Thomas Matthews, Deagan Hunter, Keifer Mundine-Dotti, Kaiden Powell, Kane Wright, Shayne Lyons, Kye Foster, Lewis Archibald, Tyrone Nye-Williams, Brendan Fordham, David Hampton, Rory McGeon, Collin Walker, Matthew White, Adam Russell, Alex Richardson-Bell, Lochlan Hucman and Jordan Roberts.

Open women’s squad: Nayoka Boney, Shaeley Aldridge, Kalindi Willis, Lexi Carter, Jasmine Tann, Summer Dann, Nikea Goodwin, Tenaya Davism Alyassa Togo, Shaq Archibald0Tungai, Robyn Moylan, Jenna Rose, Ricki Reid, Gem Gilbert, Jada Brown, Courtnia Ahwon, Jorja Miller and Nioka White.

Under 14 boys squad: Kobe Walker, Jake Callan Matt Honnery, Liam Tull, Kobe Parks, Mason King,Qudoyarm Dingo-Donovan, Tahj Werner, Tyresse Parker, Thomas Van Opldo, Kahlan Carpenter, Jacob Falkhourym Jace Fraser, Josiah Brierley, Kerran Brettm Phoenix Carroll, Deklin Paulson and Matthew Flanagan.

Under 14 girls squad: Kyara O’Brien, Leotia Brown, Priscilla Dann, Keyala Brown, Kahliah Brown, Violet Nicholson, Genevieve Brodie, Marina Simms, Kwananna Moreton-Stewart, Kaliyah Smith, Ebonee Luland, Shayla Moreton-Stewart, Akasha Combo, Aysha Stewart, Alexandria Kerrigan and Jenna Langennegger.