The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) would like to congratulate the South Coast Black Cockatoos for its winning efforts at the 2019 Koori Knockout, held at the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex in Tuggerah.
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South Coast progressed through the early rounds before turning in its best performances of the tournament when it mattered most, beating Griffith Three Ways in the men's final 40-12.
The victory means the 50th Koori Knockout will be held in the South Coast area in 2020.
NSWALC Chair, Councillor Anne Dennis, congratulated the local team and applauded the high standard of sportsmanship and competition from all participating teams across the long weekend.
"This was special for South Coast because not only is it their first win at the Knockout, the Black Cockatoos were formed by Ben Wellington and his sister Mel, in memory of their brother James Wellington, who passed away just over a year ago," Cr Dennis said.
James won his first Koori Knockout 21 years ago with the Nambucca Valley Rams, and another two with the Redfern All Blacks.
Cr Dennis said James' dream was to have a strong South Coast side, because in previous years local talent had to play for teams outside of their area.
"The Black Cockatoos played and won for a brother at the weekend and is a wonderful example of the family and community pride the Knockout is famous for," Cr Dennis said.
NSWALC has supported the Koori Knockout for decades and this year approved a grant of $80,000 to the organisers for team registration fees, as well as securing $200,000 in Federal Government funding for the next four years to support the Knockout.
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Cr Dennis says NSWALC looks forward to working with the South Coast organisers in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary event.
"The Knockout is a key part of Aboriginal life in this state," Cr Dennis said.
"NSWALC understands how important it is to work together to help teams get to the Knockout.
"We're excited about continuing our contribution to NSW's biggest sporting and cultural event."
Meanwhile A swathe of the NRL's top Indigenous players turned out at the 49th annual NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout across the long weekend.
Josh Addo-Carr, Jesse Ramien, Cody Walker, Josh Hoffman, Andrew Fifita, Greg Inglis, Brent Naden, Ash Taylor and Will Smith were among those to feature in the four-day event at the Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex.
Joel Thompson and Braidon Burns also made appearances but didn't play due to injury.
More than 140 teams participated in the tournament in various age groups.
The likes of former NRL players Craig Garvey, Dylan Farrell and St George Illawarra young gun Jayden Sullivan played for the Black Cockatoos, who will host next year's competition in the Shoalhaven area.
Fifita said he loved to play with his "brothers".
