Murri Rugby League Carnival facts for kids

The Qld Murri Carnival is a special four-day rugby league event held every year in Queensland. It brings together teams of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to celebrate culture and sport.

The carnival is managed by the Arthur Beetson Foundation, named after a famous Indigenous rugby league player. This event is also part of the Qld State Championships, making it a very important competition.

What is the Murri Carnival?

The Murri Carnival is more than just a series of rugby games. It's a community event that encourages players to focus on their health and education. To play in the carnival, everyone must follow some important rules.

Rules for Players

There are special rules for both adult and younger players to make sure everyone is healthy and responsible.

Rules for Adult Players

• They must get a health check-up.
• They must be registered to vote.

Rules for Under-15 Players

• They must also get a health check-up.
• They need to have a good school attendance record of at least 90%.

These rules help players stay healthy and keep up with their schoolwork. The event is also a "health and wellbeing" event, meaning it promotes a healthy lifestyle for the whole community.

Carnival Winners

Here is a list of the men's teams that have won the Murri Carnival over the years.

QLD Murri vs. NSW Koori Interstate Challenge

A very exciting game that happens each year is the QLD Murri vs. NSW Koori Interstate Challenge. In this match, the winner of the Qld Murri Carnival plays against the winner of the NSW Koori Knockout.

This game is usually played as part of the Indigenous All Stars event in Queensland. It's a big celebration of Indigenous rugby league talent from two states.

Festival of Indigenous Rugby League

The NRL created the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League to celebrate Indigenous players and culture. This festival sometimes takes the place of the pre-season Rugby League All Stars game, especially after a World Cup year.

The festival includes special games, like a match between an Indigenous team and an NRL club, and games for women's and under-16s teams.

2018 Festival Games

In 2018, the festival at Redfern Oval was a big cultural celebration. It featured games between Australian First Nation teams and New Zealand Maori teams.

Men's Game: First Nation Goannas vs. New Zealand Maori

The First Nation Goannas played a tough game against the New Zealand Maori team.

Women's Game: First Nation Gems vs. New Zealand Maori Ferns

The First Nation Gems women's team also played a fantastic game, showing off their amazing skills.

Famous NRL Players in the Carnival

Many famous Indigenous NRL stars have played in the Murri Carnival. Playing in the event helps them connect with their community and inspire young players. Some of these stars include:

• Ben Barba
• Dane Gagai
• Brenko Lee
• Edrick Lee
• David Peachey
• Steve Renouf
• Chris Sandow
• Sam Thaiday

See also

• Murri Rugby League Team
• Indigenous Australians
• Murri people
• Torres Strait Islanders
• NSW Koori Knockout