Dingoes hungry for success
- Andrew Aranovitch
- Nov 3, 2016
- 3 min read
It will be a case of more bite than bark for the South East Queensland Dingoes this week, when they aim to create history in taking out the inaugural National Indigenous Football Championships.
Held in Nowra on New South Wales’ South Coast from Thursday to Saturday, the competition is set to produce some highly entertaining football, with the country’s best indigenous players coming together in a celebration of sportsmanship, community and culture.
The Dingoes are made up of players from around the Brisbane and Sunshine Coast regions, with experience levels ranging from local leagues through to the National Premier League, and right up to international players such as Ramone Close.
Photos MMM Photography
“Having played at the highest level, the beautiful game has given me everything from educational experiences in teamwork, communication and resilience, to lifelong friendships and opportunities to travel the world; but more importantly, a future with options,” Ramone Close said.
“This event will provide more opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous footballers to have the same experiences I was given through football.”
While it hasn’t been all smooth sailing in organising the team, with financial and logistical hurdles to overcome, Close said the Dingoes are confident of claiming the ultimate prize.
“Our players will be covering their own transport and accommodation costs to be able to take part in this great event,” manager Wayne Alberts said.
A significant funding boost from Football Brisbane has helped to ease the pressure, as well as financial and on-field support from Caboolture Sports Football Club.
The Dingoes have trained twice a week in Narangba for the last two months, and have played several friendly matches against Caboolture, including their final warm-up game yesterday.
Caboolture players Steven Cleary and Nathan Walker are members of the Dingoes squad, which has made for plenty of friendly rivalry in the warm-up matches.
“We are hoping the National Indigenous Soccer Championships will spark football in our Indigenous communities,” said Dingoes’ coach Allan Takken, president of Narangba FC and a long-time supporter of Aboriginal soccer development.
“The lads are very excited to be part of such a significant and historic event that brings together their passion for the game and the chance to bring their culture to the sport.”
Morayfield State MP Mark Ryan has thrown his support behind the team, saying “this competition is another wonderful opportunity for young people in our electorate to participate in high-level sport.”
Hosted by the Wreck Bay Football club, and held in conjunction with Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) Indigenous Football Development Strategy, the tournament will focus on creating career pathways for players and coaches, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle through sport.
“We have a strong focus on building the skills of the Aboriginal community to organise community sport and physical recreation activities,” Wreck Bay FC Chairperson and Tournament Director Bernie McLeod said.
“We also promote healthy living, drug and alcohol-free participation and respect for players, officials and spectators.”
The tournament will be broadcast on SBS and NITV, and feature an array of entertainment, stalls, activities for kids, coaching clinics, and the first Johnny Warren Celebrity Football Match, to go with a packed schedule of competitive games, from which the first national Indigenous team will be selected.
“We are confident that this event will promote and encourage the growth of the world game in Indigenous communities across the nation, and we would encourage community, corporate and government stakeholders interested in supporting this initiative to discuss with Wreck Bay Football Club how they can become involved,” FFA CEO David Gallop said.
The event will be held at the South Nowra Sporting Complex, with free entry on Thursday and Friday, and $5 admission for adults (free for pensioners and children under 16) for the finals and celebrity match on Saturday.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/nationalindigenousfootball or contact nationalindigenousfootball@gmail.com.
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