With the roar of an F-35A Lightning aircraft signalling the start of the game, players from 17 Squadron and 75 Squadron took to the field to see who would be victorious in this year's charity rugby league matches.
In its 17th iteration, the women's touch football and men's rugby league matches were held on August 30 at RAAF Base Tindal. The event brings the close-knit community together for a bit of healthy rivalry, while raising money for the NT Cancer Council.
Senior ADF officer RAAF Base Tindal and 17 Squadron Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Alex Smith, stated that this was the biggest community event of the year for RAAF Base Tindal, with considerable squadron pride at stake.
"It brings the whole base together, to cheer on two of the premier squadrons in Air Force as they battle it out on the sporting field," Wing Commander Smith said.
"However, it is more than just a game.
"It's an opportunity for the people of Tindal to show the town of Katherine how much they mean to us by involving the local junior sporting teams, who will be playing on the night, and inviting the town out for a rare glimpse of the base and to be a part of something big.
"There aren't many people who haven't been touched in some way or another by cancer. This event raises much-needed funds for the NT Cancer Council, which in turn is put back into the local community."
'It's that feeling of community, and squadron pride, that is a big part of the magic of Tindal.'
Corporal Peter Trevett, of 75 Squadron, has experienced one win and one loss since he joined the team in 2023, and said the team had been training since April this year - keen to take the shield back from 17 Squadron.
"The build up to the game is quite tense. You can feel the heightened and excited energy around base," Corporal Trevett said.
"Everyone in Tindal takes great pride in their squadron, and getting to represent your team on game day is a great honour.
"We pull on our team jersey and run onto the field in front of friends and family - doing our squadron, our mates and ourselves proud."
Corporal Mikayla Fleming, of 17 Squadron, said there was always fierce rivalry leading up to game day, but ultimately the game was about bringing the Tindal community together for a great cause.
"It's that feeling of community, and squadron pride, that is a big part of the magic of Tindal," Corporal Fleming said.
"It's not just about the scoreboard, but representing your squadron for a good cause, with the support of our family and community and knowing we achieved it together.
"It's a moment we'll remember and celebrate as squadrons and as mates."
The event, which first began in 2008 as a fundraising event for cancer research and support services, has since had the male and female team trophies rebranded to honour two 75 Squadron members who tragically lost their lives to cancer - Paul Sletten in 2014 and Jason Ruhan in 2018.
Throughout the game's history, more than $442,000 has been raised for NT Cancer Council, with this year's event raising $62,000. The money is raised through donations, fundraising events and by raffling off donated prizes, which this year included signed team jerseys donated by the NRL.
The money raised has funded the purchase of five chemotherapy chairs for the local community and has assisted with funding a Katherine-based full-time oncology nurse and a support hotline for families in remote communities.
