Some of the team members with Senior Constable Sarah Bancroft and Sue Jellis, President
Sue Jellis, President of Rotary Club of Merimbula, presented a cheque for $1,000 to Senior Constable Sarah Bancroft of the Far South Coast Police and Citizens Youth Club at a Bega training session for the Yuin Killer Whales Nation of Origin rugby league football teams. This donation will help support travel of the teams to participate in a tournament being held in Raymond Terrace later this month.
“The Nations of Origin tournament has been designed by the NSW Police Citizens Youth Clubs to promote reconciliation within communities and engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal members in PCYC through the games of Rugby League 7’s, Football 5’s, Basketball and Netball.
The concept of the tournament was initiated after consultation with Aboriginal Communities across NSW. It also provides an avenue for young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to commence the discussion within their families and communities on their cultural identities.
One of the outcomes from this program was the need to support the development of programs and activities that build relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal young people. Nations of Origin empowers and motivates youth to celebrate Australia’s diverse indigenous culture and its deep impact on our history and their stories. Nations of Origin has four main components: Reconciliation, Education, Cultural Identity and Sport.
Each participant must meet strict criteria in order to represent their Nation. All players must meet the following criteria:
- A Minimum of 80% school attendance or fulltime employment
- No current negative dealings with Police
- Commit to train and participate in activities in the lead up to the event
- Have current PCYC NSW membership
As a result of the tournament, participants have the opportunity to further develop their skills and character through various sporting, citizenship and leadership development opportunities: A minimum of 60 Nations of Origin participants go on to complete PCYC NSW Blue Star Citizenship and/or Leadership programs; many participants continue to further engage with their local PCYC as participants, volunteers & youth representatives with many returning to the tournament the following year as youth mentors.
This year we have entered a team under the name of the Yuin Killer Whales representing the southern part of the Far South Coast for the first time. This was endorsed by local elder Uncle David Dixon. The artwork for our team uniforms was created by local Aboriginal man Shaquille Aldridge and he is also attending the tournament as a mentor.”
Beth & Peter Moore from Rotary Pambula will be travelling with the team to help with logistics & catering. We wish the Teams good luck in the Tournament.