NSW Koori Knockout facts for kids

The NSW Koori Rugby League Knockout is a huge yearly event for Indigenous people in Australia. It's a special rugby league competition that brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams. These teams come from all over New South Wales to play.

The winning team gets to host the next year's competition. This event is usually held over the October long weekend. It's not just about rugby league. It's also a big gathering where Indigenous communities celebrate their culture, history, and community pride. The first knockout was held in 1971. In 2022, it celebrated its 50th anniversary!

History of the Koori Knockout

How the Idea Started

The Koori Knockout began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At this time, many Aboriginal families were moving to Sydney, especially to inner-city areas like Redfern. They were looking for better jobs and opportunities.

Six men and one woman from a group called Koorie United started the Knockout. Their names were Bob Smith, Bob Morgan, Bill Kennedy, Danny Rose, Victor Wright, George Jackson, and Barbara Flick. They saw that many Aboriginal men in Sydney wanted to play rugby league.

The idea was to create a big competition. Bob Morgan explained that it was a chance for talented Aboriginal players to show their skills. Many of these players had been overlooked by talent scouts before. The Knockout gave them a stage to be noticed.

But the Knockout was always more than just a game. Bob Morgan said it was "about family, it was about community." It was a way for people to come together, have fun, and celebrate their culture.

The First Competition

Koorie United hosted the very first Koori Knockout in 1971. It took place at Camdenville Park in St Peters, Sydney. 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.

The team called La Perouse United won the first-ever Knockout. The tournament stayed at St Peters until 1975.

Where the Games Are Held

In 1975, Kempsey became the first team from outside Sydney to win the Knockout. After this, a new tradition began. The winning team would get to host the competition the following year.

The Kempsey Knockout in 1976 was held to remember Victor Wright Senior. He was a great supporter of the Knockout and Aboriginal football. The first winning trophy was given by the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs.

One team, BAC Walgett, made history by winning the Knockout three times in a row. They won in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Hosting the event in a smaller town like Walgett (with about 2200 people) was a big challenge. But the community did an amazing job. For the 21st anniversary in 1991, BAC Walgett chose to hold the carnival in Sydney.

Knockout Winners

Koori vs. Murri Interstate Challenge

The QLD Murri vs. NSW Koori Interstate Challenge is an annual rugby league game. It is played between the Open Men's winners of the NSW Koori Knockout and the Murri Rugby League Carnival from Queensland.

Festival of Indigenous Rugby League

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2014 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League The NRL (National Rugby League) started a special event called the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League. This festival took the place of the famous pre-season Rugby League All Stars game after every World Cup year. The 2014 festival included a trial match 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 a cultural camp for Indigenous NRL players. There were also games for Murri vs Koori women's and Under 16s teams. Plus, there was 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 between the Maori people of New Zealand and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of Australia. The First Nations Goannas team is chosen from players in the Koori Knockout and the Murri Carnival. The 2018 festival was held at Redfern Oval. It featured two main games: the First Nation Goannas against the NZ Maori team, and the First Nation Gems against the NZ Maori Ferns (women's teams). There was also a game before these, the Koori vs Murri Interstate Challenge, between the 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

Trophies and Awards

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

Some of these special trophies include:

• The William Peachey Memorial Trophy
• The Lance Brown Memorial Trophy
• The Gary "Mad Mick" Kennedy Trophy
• The McGrady Memorial Shield
• The Tommo Tighe Memorial Shield
• The Paul Roberts Memorial Shield
• The Wesley McGrady Memorial Trophy
• The Vincent Clyde Donovan Memorial Trophy
• The George "Pedro" Squires Perpetual Trophy

NRL Players from the Koori Knockout

Many famous players from the National Rugby League (NRL) have played in the Koori Knockout. This shows how important the Knockout is for finding and developing talented players.

• 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 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