NSW Koori Knockout facts for kids

The NSW Koori Rugby League Knockout is one of the biggest yearly gatherings for Indigenous people in Australia. It is a special rugby league competition. The team that wins the knockout gets to host the next one. This event was created to help Indigenous players get more chances to play in state rugby league games.

This carnival is a very important event in Indigenous Australian culture and sports. It brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams from all over New South Wales. The event usually happens during the October long weekend.

The Koori Knockout is not just about showing off talented rugby league players. It is also a time for Indigenous communities to come together. They celebrate their culture, history, and community pride. It is a highly anticipated event. Teams compete for the championship title. Communities gather to cheer for their local teams.

The first knockout was held in 1971 at Camdenville Park, St Peters. Seven teams took part. The knockout celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022.

History of the Koori Knockout

How the Idea Started

The Koori Knockout began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At that time, many Aboriginal families were moving to inner-city Sydney. They were looking for better jobs and more opportunities. A group of six men and one woman from Koorie United started the knockout. Their names were Bob Smith, Bob Morgan, Bill Kennedy, Danny Rose, Victor Wright, the late George Jackson, and Barbara Flick.

These people were connected through family and their shared experience of moving to the city. They wanted to create a big football competition for Aboriginal players. Before this, there were smaller town-based competitions.

One of the main goals of the knockout was to help talented Aboriginal footballers get noticed. Many players had been overlooked by talent scouts. This was sometimes due to racism or a lack of recruitment from country areas. The knockout gave them a chance to show their skills.

Bob Morgan, one of the founders, said that the knockout was always about more than just football. He said it was about family and community. It was a way for people to come together, enjoy, and celebrate.

The First Competition

In 1971, Koorie United hosted the very first knockout. It was held at Camdenville Park in St Peters. Seven teams played in this first event. These teams included Koorie United, Redfern All Blacks, Kempsey, La Perouse, Walgett, Moree, and a combined Mt Druitt / South Coast team. La Perouse United won the first Koori Knockout. The event was held at Camdenville Oval for a few years.

Where the Games Are Held

Koorie United won the knockout in 1974. After that, it was decided that the next Koori Knockout would be held in Kempsey. This Kempsey Knockout was a special memorial for Victor Wright Senior. He was a long-time supporter of the knockout and Aboriginal football. From then on, the tradition began: the winning team gets to host the next knockout.

The very first winning trophy was given by the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs. The trophy has an inscription that says, NSW Koorie Sports Committee Annual Football Knockout Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Foundation of Aboriginal Affairs.

BAC Walgett was the first team to win the knockout three times in a row. They won in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Their first win in 1988 caused some discussion. People wondered if a small country town like Walgett could host such a big event. Walgett has about 2200 people. But in 1989, over 6000 footballers, teams, officials, and supporters came to town. The Walgett community managed to host the three-day carnival successfully. They even won it again in Walgett that year.

Koori Knockout Winners

Koori vs. Murri Interstate Challenge

Festival of Indigenous Rugby League

Extended content

2014 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League The NRL started a Festival of Indigenous Rugby League program. This program took the place of the important pre-season Rugby League All Stars game after every World Cup year. The 2014 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League included a trial match. It was between the Newcastle Knights and an Indigenous team. This Indigenous team was made up of players from the NSW Koori Rugby League Knockout and the Murri Rugby League Carnival in Queensland. The festival also featured an NRL Indigenous Player Cultural Camp. There were Murri vs Koori women's and Under 16s games. A Murri v Koori match was also played. The event included a jobs expo and community visits. First Nation Goannas 2014 squad Coaching staff |-  1 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FB Javarn White |-  2 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} WG Kieran Vale |-  3 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} CE Rickki Sutherland |-  4 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} CE Joshua Benjamin |-  5 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} WG Malcolm Congoo |-  6 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FE Kareel Phillips |-  7 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HB Adrian Davis |-  8 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Reggie Saunders |-  9 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HK Roy Smith |- 10 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Matthew Pittman |- 11 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} SR Noel Underwood |- 12 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} SR Davin Crampton |- 13 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} LK Phil Dennis |- 14 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FB David Peachey |- 15 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FB Nathan Blacklock |- 16 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR James Livock |- 17 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} CE Rod Jensen |- 18 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Bobby Nona |- 19 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} positions Rex Johnson |- 20 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HB Denis Moran Head coach Laurie Daley Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s) 8 February 2014, 7pm (AEDT) Newcastle Knights 52–12 First Nation Goannas Tries Jake Mamo 3 Joseph Tapine 2 Alex McKinnon 1 Korbin Sims 1 Sione Mata'utia 1 Josh Mantellato 1 Matt Minto 1 Goals Josh Mantellato 6/10 Tries 1 Davin Crampton 1 Rod Jensen Goals 2/2 Adrian Davis Hunter Stadium Attendance: 6,826 Referee: Gavin Badger, Chris James, Jeff Younis, Dave Ryan 2018 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League The 2018 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League helped create a strong connection. It brought together the Maori, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islanders. The First Nations Goannas team is chosen from players in the Koori Knockout and the Murri Carnival. This festival was a great display of cultural celebration from both teams. The 2018 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League was held at Redfern Oval. It featured two main games. The First Nation Goannas played against the NZ Maori team. The First Nation Gems played against the NZ Maori Ferns. There was also an earlier game for the Koori vs Murri Interstate Challenge. This game was between Newcastle Yowies and Dhadin Geai Warriors. First Nation Goannas 2018 squad Coaching staff |-  1 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FB Ryan Walker |-  2 WG Michael Purcell |-  3 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} CE Kieran Vale |-  4 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} CE Josh Charles |-  5 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} WG Greg Davis |-  6 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FE Maipele Morseu |-  7 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HB Adrian Davis |-  8 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Dan Tanner |-  9 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HK Wes Middleton |- 10 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Zac Merritt |- 11 SR Noel Underwood |- 12 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} SR Justin Toomey-White |- 13 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} LK Trent Rose |- 14 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FE Randall Briggs |- 15 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} LK Bennett Leslie |- 16 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Will Merritt |- 17 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Isaac Briggs |- 18 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} SR Tristan Lumley |- 19 FB Wes Conlon |- 20 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HB Shane Nolan-Carr Head coach Laurie Daley Assistant coach Dean Widders Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s) Updated: 10 February 2018 Source(s): Festival of Indigenous Rugby League Squads 10 February 2018 First Nation Goannas 22–16 New Zealand Maori Tries Ryan Walker 1 Michael Purcell 1 Dan Tanner 1 Kieran Vale 1 Goals Adrian Davis 3/4 Tries 1 Ozzy Tuwhangai 1 Carne Doyle-Manga 1 Jayden Horo Goals Manaia Rudolph 2/3 Redfern Oval First Nation Gems 2018 squad Coaching staff |-  1 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FB Kazzia Lemmon |-  2 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} WG Tanika Marshall |-  3 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} CE Amber Piley |-  4 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} CE Taleenna Simon |-  5 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} WG Paris Robinson |-  6 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} FE Sarah Field |-  7 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HB Sharon McGrady |-  8 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Rhianna Sutherland |-  9 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} HK Kiara Maza |- 10 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} PR Layla Fauid |- 11 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} SR Samartha Leisha |- 12 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} SR Stephanie Mooka |- 13 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} LK Carly Phillips |- 14 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} positions Ashleigh Sowter |- 15 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} positions Shakia Tungai |- 16 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} positions Rikki Lane |- 17 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} positions Kyara Nean |- 18 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} positions Candice Clay |- 19 {{country data {{{nat}}}|flagicon/core|variant=|size=}} positions Chloe Caldwell Head coach Dean Widders Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s) Updated: 10 February 2018 Source(s): Festival of Indigenous Rugby League Squads 10 February 2018 First Nation Gems 18–0 New Zealand Maori Ferns Tries Samartha Leisha 1 Taleena Simon 2 Goals Sarah field 3/3 Redfern Oval

Championships By Team

Open Men's Winners

Open Women's Winners

Under 17 Boys Winners

Under 16 Girls Winners

Special Trophies

Over the years, many special trophies have been added to the Koori Knockout. Many of these trophies are memorials. They are given to remember people who have made a big difference to the knockout and to Aboriginal football. Some of these trophies include:

• The William Peachey Memorial Trophy, given by the Peache family.
• The Lance Brown Memorial Trophy, given to Bourke/Weilmoringle RLFC.
• The Gary "Mad Mick" Kennedy trophy.
• The McGrady Memorial Shield.
• The Tommo Tighe Memorial Shield.
• The Tabulam Rugby League Football Club Paul Roberts Memorial Shield.
• The Wesley McGrady Memorial Trophy.
• The Vincent Clyde Donovan Memorial Trophy, given by the South Taree Footballers for the best 5/8 player in the State Knockout.
• The George "Pedro" Squires Perpetual Trophy, given by the Greenup Family Bowraville.

NRL Players Who Played in the Koori Knockout

Many famous rugby league players from the National Rugby League (NRL) have played in the Koori Knockout. This shows how important the event is for finding and developing talent. Some of these players include:

• Denis Kinchela - La Perouse Panthers, Moree Boomerangs
• Josh Addo-Carr - Redfern All Blacks
• Matthew Allwood - Redfern All Blacks
• Ben Barba – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Nathan Blacklock
• Maurice Blair - Newcastle Yowies
• Matt Bowen - Newcastle Yowies
• Braidon Burns
• Preston Campbell
• Adrian Davis - Newcastle Yowies & Kempsey Bloodlines
• Justin Doyle - Narwan Eels & La Perouse
• Leo Dynevor
• Dylan Farrell - La Perouse Panthers
• Blake Ferguson
• Andrew Fifita – Griffith 3 Ways United & Doonside Brown Bears
• David Fifita – Griffith 3 Ways United & Doonside Brown Bears
• Latu Fifita – Griffith 3 Ways United & Doonside Brown Bears
• Dane Gagai - Newcastle Yowies
• Craig Garvey - La Perouse Panthers
• Steve Gordon - Newcastle Yowies
• Yileen Gordon - Newcastle Yowies
• Nicho Hynes – Griffith Three Ways United
• Greg Inglis – Wall St Warriors
• Ryan James
• Rod Jensen – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Ben Jones – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Albert Kelly - Newcastle Yowies & Nulla Rugby League Club
• Daine Laurie
• Brenko Lee - Newcastle Yowies
• Michael Lett
• Cliff Lyons
• Nathan Merritt – Redfern All-Blacks
• Latrell Mitchell - Taree Biripi Sharks
• Denis Moran - Narwan Eels & Newcastle Yowies
• Anthony Mundine - Nanima Connections
• Wes Patten - Redfern All Blacks & Newcastle Yowies
• David Peachey
• Tyrone Peachey - Nanima Connections
• Jesse Ramien - Kempsey Bloodlines
• Amos Roberts
• James Roberts - Kempsey Bloodlines
• Tyrone Roberts - Cabbage Tree Island
• Tyrone Roberts-Davis - Kempsey Bloodlines
• Reece Robinson - Redfern All Blacks
• Travis Robinson - Redfern All Blacks
• George Rose – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Chris Sandow - Narrandera Wiradjuri Warriors
• Eric Simms
• Robbie-John Simpson – Griffith Three Ways United
• Will Smith - Newcastle All Blacks
• Timana Tahu – Newcastle Yowies
• Gorden Tallis - Redfern All Blacks
• Ashley Taylor - Newcastle Yowies
• Sam Thaiday - Wollumbin Warriors
• Joel Thompson - Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Brad Tighe - Newcastle Yowies
• Darrell Trindall - Redfern All Blacks
• Travis Waddell - Newcastle Yowies
• Ricky Walford - Barwon Aboriginal Corporation
• Cody Walker - Mindaribba & Cabbage Tree Island & Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Connor Watson - Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Dean Widders - Narwan Eels & Redfern All Blacks
• Jonathan Wright - Campbelltown Ghosts & Redfern All Blacks

See also

• Australian Aboriginal culture
• Indigenous Australian sport
• List of Indigenous Australian firsts