DARREN MONCRIEFF
Monday 26 March 2012
YOU would be hard pressed to find a real live penguin in the tropics of the Northern Territory but that fact won't hinder a new club on the Tiwi Islands from adopting the Southern Ocean bird as a nickname for a football team.
People with an association with Imalu, a force in Tiwi Islands football, are looking at forming a new team, primarily for the many players who miss out on game day.
The Tiwi Islands have the highest football participation rate per capita in the country.
The new side would cater for the growing numbers of young men associatied with the Imalu Tigers.
A league official last week said the idea was floated by the community but that it would need to be worked through. He also said he was puzzled at reports they wanted to be called the Penguins.
It is not an uncommon sight on grand final day to see players visibly upset upon learning of their non-selection, and selected players to offer their jumpers to their brethren, minutes before teams enter the playing arena.
That sight was most apparent at Imalu's team selection ahead of last weekend's grand final.
There are several players aligned with Imalu who couldn't win a guernsey this season.
The club's success in Tiwi Islands football is unmatched.
The Tigers have won the most premierships, 16, and contested the most grand finals of all the clubs, past and present, in the Tiwi Islands Football League.
This month's grand final against Tuyu was the club's 28th in 42 years of organised football on the islands.
There have been up to 10 clubs on the islands since the first season, 1969/70.
The current clubs include Imalu, Walama (formerly Irrimaru -- Bulldogs, Pumarali (Thunder & Lightning), Tapalinga (Superstars), Muluwurri (formerly Taraccumbi -- Magpie Geese), Tuyu (Buffaloes), Ranku (Eagles), Melville Island (Kangaroos).
The former clubs have been Warankuwu and Nguiu (Lions).
* See Tiwi Islands Football League records.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 26/03/2012 17:51