More teams than ever before will contest the fourth annual NAIDOC Week Touch Football Championship.
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This year teachers will join members of the Port Stephens Aboriginal community, Royal Australian Air Force based at Williamtown, Port Stephens Council and police on the field for the championship, which returns on Thursday, July 12.
“The touch football competition has become entrenched in the Port Stephens NAIDOC week celebrations, and the community spirit just continues to grow,” Port Stephens-Hunter District Chief Inspector Tony Townsend said.
“This year over 100 people will compete in the tournament to win the championship trophy. It’s really great having teachers on board because they are a big part of our community.
“Our officers work tirelessly to protect and serve the public every day, and this is just one example of how we as a community are continuing to kick goals on and off the field.”
The championship is the brainchild of the Port Stephens Police and Aboriginal Consultative Committee, held as part of the Port’s NAIDOC Week schedule.
It brings key stakeholders in the community together for a friendly round robin tournament of touch football.
Each group enters a mixed and men’s team into the day-long tournament.
It was the RAAF that walked away from last year’s touch championship carrying the winners trophy.
For the second consecutive year the RAAF and Worimi played off for the championship trophy, called The Cup. And for a second year it was a strong RAAF contingent that won. Worimi, runners up, won The Plate.
Sergeant Jeff Gilewski, who has been part of the championship for the past three years, said the RAAF’s men’s team was “looking good” and would be a contender again this year.
“It’s all good fun, great camaraderie,” he said. “It’s great to get out and be part of the community.”
Brooke Roach, representing the Worimi Aboriginal community, has been involved with the championship since it first started.
He said the inclusiveness of the event was what made it enjoyable to be part of each year.
“It’s good to see people stepping out of their workplaces and supporting cultural events like this because the genuinely want to, not because they have to through work,” Roach said.
“It’s great having teachers on board this year. Everyone is coming together to support this.”
The touch football competition will kick-off with an opening ceremony at 9am on July 12 and wrap up with an official presentation at 3pm.
This year the championship will be held at Boyd Oval in Medowie.
The championship has moved to Medowie to preserve the fields at Lakeside Leisure Centre, where it is traditionally held, for the PCYC Nations of Origin which follows NAIDOC Week (July 8-15).
Port Stephens will host the PCYC Nations of Origin tournament between July 16 and 20.
Teens from across NSW will descent on the Port to take part in netball, rugby sevens and touch football competitions.
A boxing tournament, for all ages, has been added to Nations of Origin this year. The tournament will be held at PCYC Port Stephens, in Nelson Bay, on July 18.
Also read:
Videos from the 2017 championship
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
