RESPECT for Indigenous Australia figures prominently among the folk at Nimbin, in the hinterland of northern NSW, and so too among the village's football team.
While the winless Nimbin Football Club, one of four clubs in the seniors-only Summerlamd Australian Football League, search valiantly for their first win this season, they are scoring points off the park. Before injury took its toll, a third of the Demons' team were Kooris. One of them, Billy Walker jnr, is captain.
Recently, for NAIDOC Week, Nimbin organised a Reconciliation Shield match with nearby Lismore. The home side was soundly beaten by the Swans, who appointed Koori man Richard Blundell (pictured at left with Walker) as captain for the game.
The Demons plan to hold the concept match each year and hope they will be strong enough one day to win it.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Friday, August 1, 2008
Last Modified on 01/08/2008 18:47