Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Rugby League holds a special place in the hearts and minds of people on the Central Coast, with many NRL teams having links to local clubs, as well as, of course, the ongoing push to have our own team based in Gosford. So today I want to draw to the attention of the House an important event that took place at Leichhardt in Sydney over the recent long weekend: the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout. This annual event is hosted by the Redfern All Blacks in Leichhardt and involves male and female players of all ages. Founded nearly 50 years ago by the Koori United team, the event promotes keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fit and healthy, and also provides business opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs and local businesses. So it was great to see our region proudly represented through the Central Coast United Aboriginal Sporting Association, who were supported by the Bungree Aboriginal Association and the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council. Those who took part include Grant Bailey, Shane and Justin Wooden, Travis Edwards, Brad Bennett, Koen King, Michael Wright, Kane Ralph, Les Luland, Mason Craig, Lailen Adams, Mel and Donna Sutton, Tyra McEwen, Rebecca Young and Brittany Starr, and their coaches, Adam McEwen, Gary Luland and Frank Green. I have no doubt of the capacity of one or more of these young sportspeople to become a future Greg Inglis or Johnathan Thurston.

The event is backed through a $60,000 grant from the Turnbull government to support Indigenous employment outcomes during the competition. (Time expired)

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