DARREN MONCRIEFFF
Monday 5 March 2012
THE Jack Atkinson Memorial Football Carnival is growing in stature, with organisers of this year's instalment declaring it the most successful.
The carnival, held recently over two days at Wagga Wagga, for the first time included a netball component.
It was organised in conjunction with the NSW/ACT Indigenous Australian Football Association and AFL NSW/ACT.
An estimated 2500 people turned up over the two days of competition and around 250 at the official presentations.
Among the numbers crunched over the two days were:
200 players;
40 coaches/support staff;
40 Under-17 players playing in an exhibition match;
25 young people attended the information workshop with AFL Sports Ready and the AFL.
Added to the football was the Giants Combine, a series of physical tests conducted by the AFL's newest club, GWS Giants' Academy with AFL NSW/ACT. In total, 87 students, aged from 10 to 18, undertook the Giant challenge.
"By far the 2012 carnival was the most successful, you could sense it was real community event, obviously with 'white-line fever' everyone was very competitive but all games were played in good sprit and sportsmanship," Luke Penrith, AFL NSW/ACT Indigenous program manager said.
Penrith said the Indigenous community in the Riverina region and Southern NSW/ACT have taken to the carnival.
"I feel that the Aboriginal community in the Riverina/Southern NSW and ACT has really embraced the concept and now is a key gathering on the Koori calender," he said.
"It caters to the whole family.
"We have raised the bar and look to build on the foundation we’ve worked on over the past three years and ultimately have a home-grown player being drafted into the AFL or playing netball for the Sydney Swifts."
Northern Allies won the grand final, defeating Ngarrunderra Warriors.
Allies player Jay Kickett was named footy player of the carnival and earned a place in the carnival’s merit team.
A Team Jack Atkinson State Merit Squad was chosen to play at the NSW/ACT State Regional Championships in Blacktown in June.
The players, from all teams that played at the carnival, are:
Marty Ballinger, Chris Bolt, Daniel Briggs, James Burgess, Andrew Craig, Rodney Craig, Harry Dennis, Daniel Fellows, Mark Flack, Chris Gordon, Jamie Hampton, Dean Hetta, Ethan Hodder, Daniel Honeysett, John Ingram, Geoff Johnson, Dylan Kerr, Jay Kickett, Matt Lewington, Lenny Lyons, Jarrah Maksymow, Andrew Moody, Ashley Murray, Ashley Nickoll, Daen Rose, Nathan Weldon-Bowen, Eddie Whyman, Michael Williams, Zac Williams.
Organisers said having AFL Indigenous Team of the Century player Chris Johnson, and former AFL players Xavier Clark, Derek Murray and Robbie Ahmat at the carnival was another highlight.
"It was a real buzz having those guys there," Penrith said.
"It's great to see those guys giving back to the game they love and really passionate for the next generation of players coming through."
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 05/03/2012 14:33