More than 600 of the state’s youth have come together in Raymond Terrace in an annual celebration of Indigenous culture: the 2018 PCYC Nations of Origin tournament.
A total of 59 boys’ and girls’ teams representing 25 NSW Aboriginal nations travelled from across the state to Lakeside Sporting Complex on 18-19 July, where the two-day Rugby League Sevens tournament was held as part of a week-long sporting festival.
An initiative of PCYC NSW, each team included Indigenous and non-Indigenous players to promote reconciliation within communities and engage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members in PCYC through sport. Now in its sixth year, Nations of Origin is the largest Aboriginal youth sporting event in NSW.
“It is a great example of how PCYC is empowering our young people through education, sport and reconciliation,” PCYC NSW CEO Dominic Teakle said.
“Competitors are also given entry into PCYC’s flagship Blue Star citizenship and leadership programs as we encourage the next generation of community leaders.”
The under-16s competition was contested across three tiers of finals, with standings determined after five rounds of pool games. Darug (Blacktown) and Awabakal A took out the first-tier Cup Grand Finals for boys and girls respectively, with full finals results outlined below.
Under-16 Boys Cup (first-tier) Grand Final
Darug (Blacktown) 24 def Yuin North 10
Under-16 Boys Trophy (second-tier) Grand Final
Wradjuri South 26 def Darug West 22
Under-16 Boys Plate (third-tier) Grand Final
Gambaynggir 32 def Awabakal 12
Under-16 Girls Cup (first-tier) Grand Final
Darkinjung (Bateau Bay) 22 def Eora 14
Under-16 Girls Trophy (second-tier) Grand Final
Awakabal B 32 def Wonnarua Cessnock 22
Under-16 Girls Plate (third-tier) Grand Final
Awabakal A 22 def Wiradjuri Ochres 16
