Central Coast Council is set to host the 2023 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout in partnership with the Newcastle All Blacks (NAB) team, who took out the title at the 2022 event.
The state’s largest annual Indigenous sporting event will be held at the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex (CCRSRC) at Tuggerah over the October long weekend.
Also referred to as the Koori Knockout, the mass participation sporting event showcases some of the best rugby league talent in the country and holds a highly regarded and significant place on the Indigenous calendar.
Council’s Administrator Rik Hart said Council hosted the event in 2019 and is excited to be hosting it again with NAB.
Hart said the event would deliver significant benefits to the local community.
“This knockout is set to attract at least 150 participating teams and thousands of spectators which will boost our local tourist economy by an estimated $6M, providing a direct benefit to our region’s small businesses and local employment,” he said.
NAB President Edward Smith said the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex is the perfect venue for the event.
“In 2019 when we brought the Koori Knockout to the Coast it was such a success and ran so smoothly, it was hard to pass up Council’s offer of help to support the event again,” he said.
“The competition has expanded to include more divisions and Tuggerah is the best complex to cater for the extra games.
“In addition to a showcase of some amazing rugby league talent, this event promotes active lifestyles, and celebrates the culture of Australia’s First Nations Peoples.”
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council is supporting Council and NAB in bringing the Koori Knockout back to Tuggerah.
The 51st NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout will be held at CCRSRC Tuggerah from Friday, September 29-Monday, October 2.
It will be hosted by Newcastle All Blacks and supported by Central Coast Council and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.
Source: Media release, Jan 11, 2022, Central Coast Council