More than 1200 potential sports stars will compete in the sixth annual Nations of Origin tournament next week, celebrating Aboriginal culture across New South Wales, NSW Police say.
Nations of Origin is a multi-faceted sport, cultural, educational and leadership program that allows Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from across the state to represent their local indigenous "nation" in five specific sports over four days from Monday July 16.
This year’s tournament will be held in the Hunter Valley with 97 teams from 25 Aboriginal nations competing in rugby league 7s, football (soccer) 5s, netball, three-on-three basketball and boxing.
The competition is a joint initiative between the NSW Police Force’s Youth and Crime Prevention Command and the Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW.
"It’s a fantastic program where kids from all backgrounds from every part of the state can increase their understanding of Aboriginal culture through team sports," Youth and Crime Prevention Commander, Superintendent Dave Roptell, said.
"It’s no secret that some of these children face personal challenges in their local communities," Superintendent Roptell added, "We’re showing them they can channel their energies into a positive, sporting and cultural environment rather than get in trouble with the law.
PCYC Chief Executive Officer, Dominic Teakle, said Aboriginal children make up 70 per cent of each nation’s team.
"The timing of the tournament couldn’t be better with NSW clinching the men’s and women’s State of Origin rugby league series, Australia featuring in the football (soccer) World Cup and Australian boxer, Jeff Horn, taking centre stage recently in Las Vegas," Mr Teakle said.
"On top of that, the national netball competition is in full swing and Australian basketball star, Ben Simmons, has just won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award," he said.
"It gives the kids the inspiration to emulate their sporting idols…now there’s a chance for the stars of the future to show Australia what they’ve got."
The tournament focusses on four main components – reconciliation, education, cultural identity and sport and each competitor needs to have an 80 per cent school attendance rate to be eligible to compete.
For more information: https://www.pcycnsw.org.au/programs/nations-of-origin/ or contact your local Police Citizens Youth Club.
