NSW Koori Knockout

Source:{{Cite web |title=From a meeting in Redfern to the largest Aboriginal sporting event in the country |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/from-a-meeting-in-redfern-to-the-largest-aboriginal-sporting-event-in-the-country/isl0kntv7 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=NITV |language=en}}

The Knockout emerged from the new and growing mostly inner-city Sydney Aboriginal community in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The emerging political movement in Redfern for self-determination and justice, increased opportunities arising from post-referendum federal government initiatives and greater employment prospects in the industrial areas of Sydney influenced Aboriginal families' migration to the inner-city, particularly South Sydney. The Knockout emerged within this complex economic and social context. It was initiated by six men, and one woman, affiliated with Koorie United: Bob Smith, Bob Morgan, Bill Kennedy, Danny Rose, Victor Wright, the late George Jackson, and Barbara Flick. They formed Koorie United in response to the rapidly expanding Sydney Aboriginal community. The established Sydney-based Aboriginal sides, the Redfern All Blacks and La Perouse Panthers (or Blacks as they were sometimes called), were aligned with the South Sydney football district. There were many Aboriginal men looking for a game of football and so Koorie United formed joining the rival Newtown Jets district, with sponsorship from Marrickville Council, where some of the committee members worked.

The Koorie United committee were connected through kinship and the shared experience of relocating to the city. Bob Morgan, Danny Rose and Bill Kennedy hail from the New South Wales north-western town of Walgett in Gamilaroi country. Bob Smith and Victor Wright had relocated from Kemspey on the New South Wales north coast, and while the late George Jackson was based in Sydney, he also had connections with Gamilaroi as his wife was from Coonabarabran. Barbara Flick hails from Collarenebri.

Following a meeting at the Clifton Hotel, a well-known gathering place for Kooris in Redfern in the 1960s & 70s, the Koorie United committee proposed holding a statewide Knockout competition. Prior to this there had been many town-based knockout football and basketball competitions. However, the establishment of the Knockout set out with some different objectives. Bob Morgan says:

Our concept at the time was to also have a game where people who had difficulty breaking into the big time would be on show. They could put their skills on show and the talent scouts would come and check them out.

The Knockout was formed with a view to providing a stage for the many talented Aboriginal footballers playing at the time who had been overlooked by the talent scouts. Although there were some notable exceptions, like Bruce (La Pa) Stewart playing on the wing for Easts and field goal specialist, Eric Simms, with South Sydney, Aboriginal footballers experienced difficulty breaking into the big time. It was thought the Knockout would provide a chance for Aboriginal footballers to get noticed, where for reasons of racism and lack of country-based recruitment they were overlooked. There was also some talk of entering an all-Aboriginal side in the National Rugby League competition. But the instigation of the Knockout was intended to be far more than sporting competition, as original committee member Bob Morgan said:

The Knockout was never simply about football, it was about family, it was about community, it was getting people to come together and enjoy and celebrate things rather than win the competition football.

In 1971 Koorie United hosted the first knockout at Camdenville Park, St Peters, which attracted seven teams: Koorie United, Redfern All Blacks, Kempsey, La Perouse, Walgett, Moree and a combined Mt Druitt / South Coast side. It was won by La Perouse United.{{cite web|title=Aboriginal Rugby League |url=http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/aboriginal_rugby_league_in_sydney|website=Dictionary of Sydney |access-date=17 November 2011}} The Koori Knockout was played at Camdenville Oval for a couple of years.

Koorie United won the Knockout in 1974 and it was decided that the Koori Knockout would be held the following year in Kempsey. The Kempsey Knockout was a memorial to the late Victor Wright Senior, a long-time supporter of the Knockout and of Aboriginal Football, who had passed away. From here the tradition commenced of the winning team hosting the Knockout.{{Cite web |title=Koori Knockout {{!}} The Dictionary of Sydney |url=https://dictionaryofsydney.org/blog/koori_knockout |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=dictionaryofsydney.org}}

The original winning trophy was donated by the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs.{{Cite web |title=From a meeting in Redfern to the largest Aboriginal sporting event in the country |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/from-a-meeting-in-redfern-to-the-largest-aboriginal-sporting-event-in-the-country/isl0kntv7 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=NITV |language=en}}

The inscription on the trophy reads, NSW Koorie Sports Committee Annual Football Knockout Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Foundation of Aboriginal Affairs.

BAC Walgett became the first team to win the Knockout on three consecutive occasions. Their first win in 1988 (at Newcastle) resulted in some controversy regarding the tradition of the winner hosting the carnival, questioning the capacity of a small remote country township (population around 2200) to stage such a major event. With upwards of 6000 footballers, 50-odd teams and officials, supporters and family coming to town in 1989 for the three-day carnival, the Walgett community carried the day and went on to win it at Walgett in 1989 and again in 1990. The BAC management team chose to stage the carnival in Sydney in 1991 for its 21st anniversary.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

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The QLD Murri vs. NSW Koori Interstate Challenge is an annual rugby league game played between the Open Men's winners of the NSW Koori Knockout and Murri Rugby League Carnival.

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The NRL launched a Festival of Indigenous Rugby League program to take the place of the prestigious pre-season Rugby League All Stars game following every World Cup year. The 2014 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League featured a trial match between the Newcastle Knights and an Indigenous team, drawn from the NSW Koori Rugby League Knockout and Murri Rugby League Carnival in Queensland, as well as the NRL Indigenous Player Cultural Camp, Murri vs Koori women's and Under 16s representative games, a Murri v Koori match, a jobs expo and community visits.{{cite web|title=Festival of Indigenous Rugby League launched|url=https://www.nrl.com/festival-of-indigenous-rugby-league-launched/tabid/10874/newsid/75631/default.aspx|website=NRL.com|date=3 December 2013 |accessdate=15 January 2014}}

{{Rugby league squad

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|column1_title=2014 squad

|list1a={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FB | no= 1 | name=Javarn White }}

|list1b={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=WG | no= 2 | name=Kieran Vale }}

|list1c={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=CE | no= 3 | name=Rickki Sutherland }}

|list1d={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=CE | no= 4 | name=Joshua Benjamin }}

|list1e={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=WG | no= 5 | name=Malcolm Congoo }}

|list1f={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FE | no= 6 | name=Kareel Phillips }}

|list1g={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HB | no= 7 | name=Adrian Davis | captain=y }}

|list1h={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR | no= 8 | name=Reggie Saunders }}

|list1i={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HK | no= 9 | name=Roy Smith }}

|list1j={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR | no=10 | name=Matthew Pittman }}

|list1k={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=SR | no=11 | name=Noel Underwood }}

|list1l={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=SR | no=12 | name=Davin Crampton }}

|list1m={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=LK | no=13 | name=Phil Dennis }}

|list2a={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FB| no=14 | name=David Peachey}}

|list2b={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FB| no=15 | name=Nathan Blacklock}}

|list2c={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR| no=16 | name=James Livock}}

|list2d={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=CE|pos2=SR | no=17 | name=Rod Jensen}}

|list2e={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR|pos2=SR | no=18 | name=Bobby Nona}}

|list2f={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=| no=19 | name=Rex Johnson}}

|list2g={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HB| no=20 | name=Denis Moran}}

|coach=Laurie Daley

}}

{{rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

team1 = Newcastle Knights |

team2 = First Nation Goannas |

score = 52–12

|

points1 = Tries
Jake Mamo 3
Joseph Tapine 2
Alex McKinnon 1
Korbin Sims 1
Sione Mata'utia 1
Josh Mantellato 1
Matt Minto 1
Goals
Josh Mantellato 6/10|

points2 = Tries
1 Davin Crampton
1 Rod Jensen
Goals
2/2 Adrian Davis|

date = 8 February 2014, 7pm (AEDT)|

stadium = Hunter Stadium |

attendance = 6,826|

referee=Gavin Badger, Chris James, Jeff Younis, Dave Ryan |

manofmatch= }}

2018 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League created a strong connection between the Maori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The First Nations Goannas are chosen from the Koori Knockout and the Murri Carnival. With a strong showcase of cultural celebration from both teams. The 2018 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League was held at Redfern Oval featuring a Double header between the First Nation Goannas v NZ Maori and First Nation Gems v NZ Maori Ferns, And a curtain raiser game for the Koori vs Murri Interstate challenge Between Newcastle Yowies and Dhadin Geai Warriors .{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/02/07/festival-of-indigenous-rugby-league-launched/|title=Festival of Indigenous Rugby League launched|date=6 February 2018|website=Queensland Rugby League}}

{{Rugby league squad

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|BC1=#005C7A

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|FC2=white

|source=[https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/12/15/squads-named-for-festival-of-indigenous-rugby-league/ Festival of Indigenous Rugby League Squads]

|date=10 February 2018

|column1_title=2018 squad

|list1a={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FB | no= 1 | name=Ryan Walker }}

|list1b={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon=Ipswich | pos=WG | no= 2 | name=Michael Purcell }}

|list1c={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=CE | no= 3 | name=Kieran Vale }}

|list1d={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=CE | no= 4 | name=Josh Charles }}

|list1e={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=WG | no= 5 | name=Greg Davis }}

|list1f={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FE | no= 6 | name=Maipele Morseu }}

|list1g={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HB | no= 7 | name=Adrian Davis }}

|list1h={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR | no= 8 | name=Dan Tanner }}

|list1i={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HK | no= 9 | name=Wes Middleton | captain=y }}

|list1j={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR | no=10 | name=Zac Merritt }}

|list1k={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon=northern pride | pos=SR | no=11 | name=Noel Underwood }}

|list1l={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=SR | no=12 | name=Justin Toomey-White }}

|list1m={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=LK | no=13 | name=Trent Rose }}

|list2a={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FE| no=14 | name=Randall Briggs}}

|list2b={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=LK|pos2=SR | no=15 | name=Bennett Leslie}}

|list2c={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR| no=16 | name=Will Merritt}}

|list2d={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR| no=17 | name=Isaac Briggs}}

|list2e={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=SR|pos2=LK | no=18 | name=Tristan Lumley}}

|list2f={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon=Ipswich | pos=FB|pos2=HK | no=19 | name=Wes Conlon}}

|list2g={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HB|pos2=HK | no=20 | name=Shane Nolan-Carr}}

|coach=Laurie Daley

|assistant=Dean Widders

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team1 = First Nation Goannas |

team2 = New Zealand Maori |

score = 22–16

|

points1 = Tries
Ryan Walker 1
Michael Purcell 1
Dan Tanner 1
Kieran Vale 1
Goals
Adrian Davis 3/4 |

points2 = Tries
1 Ozzy Tuwhangai
1 Carne Doyle-Manga
1 Jayden Horo
Goals
Manaia Rudolph 2/3 |

date = 10 February 2018 |

stadium = Redfern Oval |

attendance = |

referee= |

manofmatch= }}

{{Rugby league squad

|squadname=First Nation Gems

|BC1=#005C7A

|FC1=white

|BC2=saddlebrown

|FC2=white

|source=[https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/12/15/squads-named-for-festival-of-indigenous-rugby-league/ Festival of Indigenous Rugby League Squads]

|date=10 February 2018

|column1_title=2018 squad

|list1a={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FB | no= 1 | name=Kazzia Lemmon }}

|list1b={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=WG | no= 2 | name=Tanika Marshall }}

|list1c={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=CE | no= 3 | name=Amber Piley }}

|list1d={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=CE | no= 4 | name=Taleenna Simon }}

|list1e={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=WG | no= 5 | name=Paris Robinson }}

|list1f={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=FE | no= 6 | name=Sarah Field }}

|list1g={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HB | no= 7 | name=Sharon McGrady }}

|list1h={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR | no= 8 | name=Rhianna Sutherland }}

|list1i={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=HK | no= 9 | name=Kiara Maza }}

|list1j={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=PR | no=10 | name=Layla Fauid }}

|list1k={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=SR | no=11 | name=Samartha Leisha| captain=y}}

|list1l={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=SR | no=12 | name=Stephanie Mooka }}

|list1m={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=LK | no=13 | name=Carly Phillips }}

|list2a={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=| no=14 | name=Ashleigh Sowter}}

|list2b={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=| no=15 | name=Shakia Tungai}}

|list2c={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=| no=16 | name=Rikki Lane}}

|list2d={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=| no=17 | name=Kyara Nean}}

|list2e={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=| no=18 | name=Candice Clay}}

|list2f={{Rugby league squad player | leagueicon= | pos=| no=19 | name=Chloe Caldwell}}

|coach=Dean Widders

}}

{{rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

team1 = First Nation Gems |

team2 = New Zealand Maori Ferns |

score = 18–0

|

points1 = Tries
Samartha Leisha 1
Taleena Simon 2
Goals
Sarah field 3/3 |

points2 = |

date = 10 February 2018 |

stadium = Redfern Oval |

attendance = |

referee= |

manofmatch= }}

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Throughout the history of the Knockout there have been many trophies added. Many of the trophies are memorials. Some of these trophies are dedicated to those who have made a significant contribution to the Knockout and Aboriginal football. These include the William Peachey Memorial Trophy – donated by the Peache family; the Lance Brown Memorial Trophy presented to Bourke/Weilmoringle RLFC, Gary "Mad Mick" Kennedy; McGrady Memorial Shield; Tommo Tighe Memorial Shield; Tabulam Rugby League Football Club Paul Roberts Memorial Shield; Wesley McGrady Memorial Trophy; Vincent Clyde Donovan Memorial Trophy – donated by the South Taree Footballers for the best 5/8 of State Knockout; and the George "Pedro" Squires Perpetual Trophy – donated by the Greenup Family Bowraville.{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-2153-122887-0-0&sID=18925|website=foxsportspulse|accessdate=17 November 2015}}

• Denis Kinchela - La Perouse Panthers, Moree Boomerangs
• Josh Addo-Carr - Redfern All Blacks
• Matthew Allwood - Redfern All Blacks
• Ben Barba – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Nathan Blacklock
• Maurice Blair - Newcastle Yowies
• Matt Bowen - Newcastle Yowies
• Braidon Burns
• Preston Campbell
• Adrian Davis - Newcastle Yowies & Kempsey Bloodlines
• Justin Doyle - Narwan Eels & La Perouse
• Leo Dynevor
• Dylan Farrell - La Perouse Panthers
• Blake Ferguson
• Andrew Fifita – Griffith 3 Ways United & Doonside Brown Bears
• David Fifita – Griffith 3 Ways United & Doonside Brown Bears
• Latu Fifita – Griffith 3 Ways United & Doonside Brown Bears
• Dane Gagai - Newcastle Yowies
• Craig Garvey - La Perouse Panthers
• Steve Gordon - Newcastle Yowies
• Yileen Gordon - Newcastle Yowies
• Nicho Hynes – Griffith Three Ways United
• Greg Inglis – Wall St Warriors
• Ryan James
• Rod Jensen – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Ben Jones – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Albert Kelly - Newcastle Yowies & Nulla Rugby League Club
• Daine Laurie
• Brenko Lee - Newcastle Yowies
• Michael Lett
• Cliff Lyons
• Nathan Merritt – Redfern All-Blacks
• Latrell Mitchell - Taree Biripi Sharks
• Denis Moran - Narwan Eels & Newcastle Yowies
• Anthony Mundine - Nanima Connections
• Wes Patten - Redfern All Blacks & Newcastle Yowies
• David Peachey
• Tyrone Peachey - Nanima Connections
• Jesse Ramien - Kempsey Bloodlines
• Amos Roberts
• James Roberts - Kempsey Bloodlines
• Tyrone Roberts - Cabbage Tree Island
• Tyrone Roberts-Davis - Kempsey Bloodlines
• Reece Robinson - Redfern All Blacks
• Travis Robinson - Redfern All Blacks
• George Rose – Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Chris Sandow - Narrandera Wiradjuri Warriors
• Eric Simms
• Robbie-John Simpson – Griffith Three Ways United
• Will Smith - Newcastle All Blacks
• Timana Tahu – Newcastle Yowies
• Gorden Tallis - Redfern All Blacks
• Ashley Taylor - Newcastle Yowies
• Sam Thaiday - Wollumbin Warriors
• Joel Thompson - Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Brad Tighe - Newcastle Yowies
• Darrell Trindall - Redfern All Blacks
• Travis Waddell - Newcastle Yowies
• Ricky Walford - Barwon Aboriginal Corporation
• Cody Walker - Mindaribba & Cabbage Tree Island & Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Connor Watson - Walgett Aboriginal Connection
• Dean Widders - Narwan Eels & Redfern All Blacks
• Jonathan Wright - Campbelltown Ghosts & Redfern All Blacks

{{Portal|Sports|New South Wales}}

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Category:1971 establishments in Australia

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1971

Category:Sports leagues established in 1971

Category:Indigenous Australian sport

Category:Rugby league competitions in New South Wales