Modern day corroboree set for Sydney

The state’s biggest annual gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is coming to Sydney this October long weekend.

The Redfern All Blacks won the right to host the 2016 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout after winning the 2015 tournament in Dubbo.

Also known as the Koori Knockout, it features 132 teams from communities across NSW, including 64 men’s teams, 22 women’s teams and 46 junior teams.

With tens of thousands of players, officials, volunteers and spectators set to attend, the tournament will be held at Leichhardt Oval – the closest suitable venue to Redfern – and a number of surrounding grounds.

"The 2016 Koori Knockout will be a great cultural celebration for our city and we are only too happy to support it," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

"The Redfern All Blacks have a proud history in Sydney and NSW. Not only are they Australia’s oldest Aboriginal rugby league club, but they’ve also provided generations of Indigenous Australians with an important social and cultural hub.

"It’s quite fitting that the club are hosting the tournament this year. They hosted the inaugural tournament 45 years ago at Camdenville Oval in St Peters.

"Redfern has a rich and important history for Indigenous Australians and the Redfern All Blacks have played an important role in developing that history since they were formed in the 1930s.

"Although the club has primarily been focused on sport, its service to Indigenous peoples has transcended rugby league.

"They were a founding member of the Koori Knockout, which has become one of the most important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events in Australia.

"The City is proud to sponsor the event, which has also been strongly supported by the Inner West Council and NSW Rugby League."

In August, Council resolved to provide cash sponsorship of $42,000 and $3,366 value-in-kind sponsorship, on top of the $33,042 worth of grants previously provided by the City.

Described as a modern-day Corroboree, the Koori Knockout’s activities aren’t just restricted to the rugby league field, with a series of community and cultural events set to take place in and around Redfern.

Redfern All Blacks Chairperson Lisa Williams said the Koori Knockout attracted players from Ballina to Bega along the coast and as far west as Bourke.

"The Knockout is a four-day carnival of tough, fiercely contested, world class rugby league, where victory is cited as a lifetime highlight for players and communities," Ms Williams said.

"We thank the City for their backing of the Redfern All Blacks as we organise the biggest Indigenous cultural and sporting event in the southern hemisphere. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the many great things happening in Redfern and host communities from all over NSW."

Redfern All Blacks Life Member Shane Phillips the club’s men and women’s teams were looking to make it back-to-back Knockout triumphs.

"The 2015 victories for our men and women’s side reflect a number of positive things that have developed in the Redfern community over the last several years," Mr Phillips said.

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Alex Cauchi on 0467 803 815 or [email protected]

For interviews with the Lord Mayor, please contact Matt Levinson 0499 319 385 or [email protected]