David Kantilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids David Kantilla |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | David Kantilla "Amparralamtua" (traditional name) |
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| Date of birth | 1938 | ||
| Place of birth | Bathurst Island, Northern Territory | ||
| Date of death | 13 June 1978 (aged 39–40) | ||
| Place of death | Wurrumiyanga, Northern Territory | ||
| Original team | St Mary's | ||
David Kantilla (1938 – 13 June 1978), also known by his traditional name Amparralamtua, was a famous Australian rules footballer. He made history as the first Indigenous Australian to play in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL). He was also the first person from the Tiwi Islands to play successfully in a big southern football league.
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Who Was David Kantilla?
David Kantilla was born on Bathurst Island in 1938. He was a tall player, standing at 196 centimetres. He played as a ruckman, which is a player who jumps to get the ball from the umpire's bounce or throw-up.
His Early Football Days
Before joining a major league, Kantilla played for a few seasons with St Mary's in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL). He was already a strong player there.
Playing in South Australia
In 1961, David Kantilla moved to South Australia to play for the South Adelaide team in the SANFL. He made a huge impact right away! In his very first game against Glenelg Football Club, he kicked six goals. He was so good that he won his club's "best and fairest" award in his first two seasons. This award goes to the player who performs best and shows good sportsmanship.
"Soapy" Kantilla
David Kantilla earned the nickname "Soapy." This happened after a photo of him covered in soap in a bath was published. Later in his career, he moved back to playing as a ruckman.
A Champion Player
In 1964, David Kantilla was a key part of the South Adelaide team that won the premiership. A premiership is like winning the championship in a football league. He played 113 games for South Adelaide before he left the club at the end of the 1966 season.
He also represented South Australia in special interstate games four times, in 1964 and 1965. After leaving South Adelaide, he went back to the Northern Territory. He became the captain and coach for St Mary's in the 1968/69 NTFL season.
His Family's Football Connection
David Kantilla wasn't the only footballer in his family. His brothers, Bertram and Saturninus, were part of the very first St Mary's team in the 1952/53 season.
His Passing
Sadly, David Kantilla passed away in 1978. He was killed in a car accident at Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island.
Honours and Recognition
David Kantilla's amazing career and contributions to Australian rules football have been remembered and honoured:
- In 1997, he was inducted into the Northern Territory Hall of Champions. This means he was recognised as one of the best athletes from the Northern Territory.
- A function room at the NTFL headquarters, located at Marrara Oval, is named after him.
- In 2005, he was chosen to be on the interchange bench for the Indigenous Team of the Century. This team celebrates the best Indigenous Australian rules footballers from the last 100 years.
- He is also a member of the South Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame, which honours the club's greatest players.
