One of the biggest First Nations sporting events is underway
The 51st Koori Knockout is underway in the NSW Central Coast. Up to 40,000 officials and supporters are expected over the next four day - in what is one of the biggest gatherings of First Nations people in Australia.
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00:00 The play underway today, the first day of four days of action here at the regional sporting
00:06 complex. It's the boys and girls in action today as well as the women. The men will take
00:13 centre stage tomorrow. It's a carnival atmosphere, interesting hearing the Prime Minister talking
00:18 about community sport and obviously the build up to the AFL and NRL grand finals. This is
00:23 where it all starts. Here you've got the stars of the future and many of the stars have come
00:28 through this tournament. It started back in 1971 in Sydney, just an idea really of some
00:35 indigenous rugby league players who felt they weren't getting an opportunity and it's grown
00:40 and grown to now a competition where you've got 150 teams in action over four days, culminating
00:48 in the women's and men's grand finals on Monday afternoon. And as you mentioned, huge crowds
00:53 expected here, up to 10,000 people each day, so 40,000 people converging on this complex
01:00 over the next couple of days. This was the home to the German women's football team during
01:05 the recent FIFA World Cup, so the fields themselves are in absolutely perfect condition because
01:11 it had to meet world standards, so the very best facilities here for these players here
01:16 this weekend. And Emma, we've had lots of big name NRL players who've played at the
01:21 Koorie Knockout in the past. Do you expect to see any in action this weekend? I think
01:27 there will be quite a few. We're hearing rumours this morning that Latrell Mitchell has signed
01:31 on to play with the Newcastle Yowies. We thought he was injured, but apparently he's signed
01:36 on. There's always these wheelings and dealings behind the scenes. Players like Josh Adokar,
01:42 Cody Walker, they made a name for themselves at the Koorie Knockout and they come back
01:46 every year and play in the competition. Jack Whiten is expected to be here. He's recently
01:51 signed on with the Rabbitohs, so yes, there'll be some big name NRL players and it's always
01:57 fun to play alongside them. Players also get a kick out of taking them on, actually playing
02:02 against these players, as well as the young players who, walking around this facility,
02:07 rub shoulders with their heroes and can dream of what the future may hold for them. And
02:13 what's the significance of this event more generally? It's not just about the rugby league.
02:20 Obviously, there's kids here with aspirations of making it to the NRL or the NRLW, but this
02:25 is really a community event. For many Indigenous Australians, this is the one time a year that
02:30 they come together and catch up. I've seen so many people this morning embracing, hugging,
02:35 kisses and high fives all around. People that they perhaps haven't seen since last year's
02:39 Koorie Knockout. This is described by Indigenous Australians as a modern day corroboree, where
02:45 they come together and celebrate. I've seen kids just starting to walk up to grandparents,
02:49 great-grandparents, all sitting here to watch their loved ones go around playing community
02:55 sport at its very best. So certainly a very significant event for Indigenous Australians
03:01 and something that they mark in the calendar every year. And people come, as I say, from
03:06 all over New South Wales to be here every year to come together and celebrate together.
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