Talent shines at Nicky Winmar CarnivalThursday, March 10, 2016 - 9:05 AM

More than 400 talented Indigenous players and coaches put their skills on show in front of a crowd of more than 2,000 at this year’s Nicky Winmar Carnival in Mandurah.

A record 14 teams made up of footballers aged 15 years and under played a total 45 matches in the round-robin style tournament which was held at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Sunday March 6.

The day-long carnival concluded with a closely fought Grand Final which saw the South West team (3.5.23) claim the Nicky Winmar Cup with a 10-point victory over Subiaco (2.1.13).

Participants travelled from all over Western Australia to take part in the event which has grown rapidly in numbers since its inception in 2009 with only five teams.

Coordinated by the West Australian Football Commission in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation and the City of Mandurah and sponsored by RediMed and the Australian Defence Force, the carnival provides an opportunity for young players to have their talent recognised by the West Australian Football League (WAFL) clubs and potentially find a pathway to a higher competition.

Community Engagement Manager Paul Mugambwa said the players took part in extensive training and mentoring sessions in preparation for the big day. 

“A lot of hard work was done in the build up to the event with players receiving various presentations and sessions on health and wellbeing, drugs and alcohol and anti-social behavior,” Mr Mugambwa said.

“A huge focus was also placed on school attendance as a requirement for participants to be involved in the event.”

The North female team brought home a win against the South female team in the Exhibition match for Aboriginal women aged 17 and over.

Female Football Coordinator Allana Dickie said the top players will be selected for the Indigenous All Star Team which will play in the Women’s Two Way Learning match against the WAWFL All Stars in July.

“The girls played with such a high level of skill and intensity and it’s fantastic knowing many of these players, for the first time, are now involved in club football,” Ms Dickie said.

The carnival also focussed on the development of carnival coaches and the introduction of the new Aboriginal Umpiring program. 

The six-week program, which started last year, provided another avenue for students from diverse communities to be involved in football beyond that of playing the game.

“The Nicky Winmar Carnival was utilised as an opportunity for 10 Aboriginal boys from this program to put what they had learnt into practice,” Mr Mugambwa said.

“Overall the carnival has grown to be more of a display of unique talent and the development of our players, coaches, umpires and administrators both on and off the field.”