Trial 1: Newcastle Knights v First Nation Goannas

rhugh89

rhugh89

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
You could name the Indigenous team to face the Knights

NRL.com
9:00am Thu 24th October, 2013

In 2014 the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League will be held in Newcastle from 2-8, February.

The week-long celebration showcasing Indigenous culture, community and the ongoing contributions made to the game at all levels.

It will culminate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a group of non-elite players who will experience what it is like to play against a current NRL side in the Newcastle Knights on Saturday 8 February at Hunter Sports Stadium.

The team, comprising of players selected from the respective Murri and Koori Aboriginal Knockouts and representing Indigenous Australia, will be appropriately named by the public – bringing a sense of community pride and ownership.

The National Rugby League along with the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council encourages fans to get on board and nominate a name for the team.

By completing the online form you can be part of this exciting initiative and when the boys run out next year it may be your team name that sits proudly atop of the jersey representing Indigenous Australians and their communities.

The online nomination process will open this Thursday, 24 October and run through to Thursday, 31 October. So get nominating!

GO TO THE LINK BELOW TO NOMINATE !!!!


http://www.nrl.com/you-could-name-the-indigenous-team-to-face-the-knights/tabid/10874/newsid/75113/default.aspx
 
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non elite must mean players who are not in the NRL - Adrian Davis, Warren Schillings, Jade Porter, Scott Briggs, Chad Solman, Jared Edwards.

I can't remember all that played in the team Tahu organises that won the last Aboriginal carnival a few weeks ago, but it was largely a Newcastle side, and the side that came second was Newcastle too I think.
 
NSW coach Laurie Daley will coach an Indigenous side to take on Newcastle in February



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An Indigenous side will play Newcastle in a trial match next February. Source: News Limited


THE pre-season Indigenous rugby league game is back after all.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal an Indigenous side will play Newcastle in a trial match next February, probably at Hunter Stadium.

Rugby league's traditional Indigenous All Stars game has been suspended for next season so the rich and inaugural Auckland Nines can be contested.

NSW coach Laurie Daley will once again coach the Indigenous side in 2014.

Full details of the match will be revealed next Tuesday at a press conference in Newcastle.

The Indigenous team will boast four NRL stars and those players that impressed in the Koori Knockout and Murri Knockout tournaments.

"The All Stars won't be on next year due the Auckland Nines and due to the length of the World Cup,'' Daley said.

"So this game will still give Indigenous players a chance to showcase their abilities. It will feature the best players Indigenous knockout tournaments and a few NRL stars.

"It should be a wonderful celebration, as was the All Stars week.

"The match will be great for Indigenous players who have impressed in the knockout events and I am sure Newcastle players will find the game beneficial as well.

'The official name of the Indigenous side will be revealed next Tuesday.Officials are also hoping to release names of the star NRL players to compete in the match.

The game looks like being part of a rugby league Indigenous pre-season festival.

Carnival organisers hope it will adequately replace the All Stars match and reinforce rugby league's commitment to Indigenous communities.

Star Johnathan Thurston said recently: "The players are 100 per cent behind the All Stars.

"We love everything involved in the week, but we only want to see the match held if it can be done properly and played in the spirit and standard that it has been over the past four years.

"If the All Stars was just another game you could get away with playing it under-prepared but it is played at such a high level of intensity, almost like an Origin game, that you could not do it justice off the back of a World Cup with such little preparation.''

The NRL will consider returning the All Stars match to the rugby league calender in 2015.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...stle-in-february/story-fni3fbgz-1226770797143
 
Festival of Indigenous Rugby League launched

NRL
1:00pm Tue 03rd December, 2013

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Wayne Bennett and Laurie Daley joined forces in Newcastle today to promise 16 talented young Indigenous players the most memorable two weeks of their lives when they take centre stage at the 2014 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League.

Daley today announced the lucky 16 of the country's best "non-elite" Indigenous players, who will be joined by four current and/or former NRL players in the First Nations Goannas to take on Bennett's Knights in a trial match at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium on February 8.

Taking the place of the traditional All Stars match in 2014, the trial game will mark the culmination of a week-long celebration that will also feature the NRL Indigenous Players Cultural Camp, community and school visits, a community festival; matches between the NSW and QLD Indigenous women's teams and NSW and QLD U16 boys teams; and the annual Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge.

The First Nations Goannas were chosen from the immensely popular NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout and the QLD Murri Carnival and include Raiders' Holden Cup Team of the Year selection Brenko Lee, who played in both the Koori and National Youth Cup competitions this year.

The team was selected by Preston Campbell and David Peachey, with input from Daley, with eight players coming from NSW and eight from Queensland.

The youngest player selected in the squad is 18-year-old Lee, with 30-year-old Matthew Pittman the oldest. The team will also be joined by four past and/or present NRL players, who have yet to be named.

Daley and Bennett, both staunch supporters of the All Stars concept which will return in 2015, reinforced the decision to "rest" the NRL All Stars v Indigenous All Stars match in 2014 following the World Cup, which Australia won on Sunday.

Daley said: "Significantly, the Festival in Newcastle means the All Stars concept will continue to recognise the relationship and importance of the Indigenous community to the success of Rugby League.

"This event provides a really special opportunity for 16 young men to show their skills against an NRL squad and hopefully open the door to a start in the NRL in the near future."

The week prior to the camp and trial match - January 27-31), Daley's First Nation Goannas will be hosted by Sydney-based NRL clubs, providing them the chance to experience an elite NRL playing environment with access to coaching, nutrition and training advice.

Daley will name the additional four NRL players to join the Goannas in January.

Bennett said: "This trial provides a great opportunity for young Indigenous players to compete against NRL players while also ensuring the momentum of this special celebration is continued.

"It is a privilege for Newcastle to host The Festival of Indigenous Rugby League.

"This game will form an important part of our pre-season as we get ready for season 2014."

First Nations Goannas representative Roy Smith, from the Redfern All Blacks, who attended today's launch at Hunter Stadium, said he was overwhelmed at his selection.

"I am really proud to be part of this team … it's a massive honour," Smith said. "I am really grateful and I am really looking forward to the experience.

"More than anything I am really proud to be playing with the other Indigenous boys and representing my mob.

"For us in Redfern, we all out love our footy. There are a lot of young kids playing junior footy here who look up to us like we are - NRL) First Graders so this will give the youngsters some confidence and something to aspire to."

ARL Indigenous Council Chair, the Hon. Linda Burney MP, said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are equally as excited and committed about the Festival in Newcastle as the All Stars event.

"Like All Stars, the Festival is an opportunity to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through sport and the arts," Miss Burney said.

"It reinforces the Game's commitment to growing Indigenous Rugby League and to showcasing the talent that exists among Indigenous communities.

"At its heart All Stars is a stunning example of how Rugby League can be a vehicle for reconciliation. The Festival can continue that legacy."

Festival Activities confirmed to date:

Monday, Feb 3 - NRL Indigenous Players Camp starts; First Nations Goannas arrive into camp

Tuesday, Feb 4 - First Nations Goannas training; team photo; personal development workshop

Wednesday, Feb 5 - Community and school visits

Thursday, Feb 6 - Training and workshops for the First Nations Goannas and Indigenous Women's teams

Friday, Feb 7 - Community Festival; Murris v Koori Interstate Challenge - 7pm)

Saturday, Feb 8 - Hunter Stadium

3pm - - Gates Open

3.15pm (QLD) Indigenous Women v NSW Indigenous Women

4.50pm (QLD) Indigenous U16 v NSW Indigenous U16

7.00pm - Newcastle Knights v First Nations Goannas

Tickets

Tickets for February 8 trial at Hunter Stadium will go on sale mid-January.

Team List: First Nations Goannas*:

Joshua Benjamin - Ngalpun (QLD)

Malcolm Congoo - Argun Warriors (QLD)

Davin Crampton - Mindaribba (NSW)

Adrian Davis - Yowies (NSW)

Phil Dennis - Dingoes (QLD)

Rex Johnson - Dingoes (QLD)

Brenko Lee - Yowies (NSW)

James Livock - Ngalpun (QLD)

Bobby Nona - Yowies (NSW)

Kareel Phillips - Redfern All Blacks (NSW)

Matthew Pittman - Narwan OBC (NSW)

Reggie Saunders - Dingoes (QLD)

Roy Smith - Redfern All Blacks (NSW)

Noel Underwood - Yarrabah (QLD)

Kieran Vale - Dhungutti (NSW)

Javarn White - Dingoes (QLD)

*Four current and/or past NRL players are yet to be added to the squad.



http://www.nrl.com/festival-of-indi...aunched/tabid/10874/newsid/75631/default.aspx
 
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Young indigenous stars will spend a week training with Sydney based NRL clubs



SIXTEEN young indigenous stars from across NSW and Queensland will be given the opportunity to train with NRL clubs during the build up to a pre-season trial against the Newcastle Knights in February to mark the NRL's 2014 Festival of Indigenous rugby league.

The trial will take the place of the traditional All Stars match, which is in recess next season because of the impact on the playing schedule of the World Cup and Auckland Nines.

All Stars coaches Wayne Bennett and Laurie Daley yesterday backed the festival and trial game which Bennett says will keep the Indigenous All Stars concept alive.

"I thought it might lose a little bit of momentum but this is a wonderful opportunity for a lot of other people to be part of the celebrations so I'm more than happy with the concept,'' Bennett said.

Daley's First Nation Goannas, who will take on Bennett's Knights, have been selected from players involved in the NSW Aboriginal knockout and the Queensland Murri carnival.

The 16 players, who will be bolstered by four NRL or former NRL players for the trial game, will spend a week with Sydney-based NRL clubs prior to going into camp in Newcastle to prepare for the game on February 8.

"It will be a massive opportunity for all the boys involved to showcase their skills but it won't just be about the trial but also a celebration of the contribution the indigenous people make to the game,'' Daley said.

Meanwhile, an Indigenous All Stars-Australian All Stars women's match is set to be played for the first time next season as a curtain-raiser to the Australia-New Zealand Anzac Test on May 2.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-based-nrl-clubs/story-fni3fbgz-1226774509776
 
Bennett: It’s a full-on game

Thursday 5 December 2013 9:36 AM

It may be officially a trial on the NRL calendar, but the Newcastle Knights have vowed to field a quality line-up for their match against 16 of the countries best 'non-elite' indigenous players at Hunter Stadium next February.

Knights coach Wayne Bennett was joined by First Nation Goannas coach Laurie Daley to officially launch the 2014 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League in Newcastle on Tuesday.

The game will mark the culmination of a week-long celebration that will also feature community and school visits, a community festival; matches between NSW and QLD Indigenous women's teams and NSW QLD U16 boys teams and the annual Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge.

Bennett is excited by the concept, insisting the Knights will be treating the match with all the respect it deserves.

"The indigenous game is not a trial match," Bennett says frankly.

"Believe me. It’s a full-on game of rugby league.

"I’ll get a good balance there, but as I said I’ll pick quality players in some positions because I don’t want to disrespect the event and the organisation.

"I also want an opportunity to give a couple of under 20s players and a team of players that also want to be there."

The match will replace the annual All Stars match, which has been put on hold for one year due to the demand on players from the World Cup and the Auckland Nines.

Bennett has no doubts the All Stars fixture will return in 2015, but for now the clash against some of the best young indigenous players in the country is a perfect replacement.

"I thought the (All Stars) concept might lose a little bit of momentum and it’s got a lot of momentum to it," he says.

"But I think this match is a wonderful opportunity for a lot of other people to be a part of the celebrations of the Indigenous people.

"So I was more than happy with the concept."

As part of the festival, sixteen young indigenous players will be given the opportunity to train with NRL clubs during the build-up to the trial against the Knights.

Bennett says this will be an invaluable experience for the young footballers to be exposed to the expectations required to play at the highest level.

"I thought that was one of the great initiatives of the concept," he enthuses.

"I think you’ll find that some of them will get picked up and get opportunities.

"It’s a great opportunity for them to realise the amount of discipline required to play and train at this level.

"So it’s a bonus for both groups.

"The clubs get a quality player and for the individual to go and learn about what is right and wrong.

"I think everyone will be amazed with what this weekend will bring to Newcastle and also the actual game itself."

Knights forward Willie Mason is equally excited about the match and the opportunity to play an important role in developing our best young indigenous players.

Mason has no doubts the match will provide chances for a number of young players to impress and attract interest from NRL clubs.

"I was involved in the All Stars last year and that was one of the best weeks I’ve had in my whole career," Mason says.

"These kids that we’ll come up against just play in the local league in Sydney or out in the bush.

"So they’ve had no taste of NRL, but some of the players I’ve seen like little Adrian Davis are very skilful.

"AJ was in the mix here at the Knights in the juniors for a little while, but he is obviously not playing here anymore.

"There is a lot of skill and as Wayne said you can’t go out there and disrespect the jersey and throw a reserve grade team out that
no one has ever heard of.

"So of course he is going to throw his best team out there."

Mason says he is a huge fan of the entire concept, but he is particularly pumped about the Indigenous players getting the chance to train with NRL clubs prior to the trial on February 8.

"I think it’s great for all those Indigenous kids who get the opportunity to train with an NRL team before," he says.

"I’d be stoked if I was young and got to train with South Sydney and hang out with GI (Greg Inglis) or go up to North Queensland and hang out with Johnathan Thurston.

"So I think it’s an unbelievable opportunity for these kids."

What about the Knights players? Well, Mason reckons they'll be ready for a spirited affair against Daley's First Nations Goannas.

"They won’t be holding back regardless of your name," he grins.

"They might be in awe a little a bit and then they’ll just get out there and rip in as hard as they can."

Tickets go on sale to this event in January, stay tuned for more details.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Bennett-Its-a-fullon-game/88260
 
Tickets on sale for Festival of Indigenous RL

NRL
12:01pm Thu 09th January, 2014

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Star coaches Wayne Bennett and Laurie Daley at the launch of the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League.

The Festival of Indigenous Rugby League is set to take over Newcastle in February with the week-long event to culminate with a giant clash between the First Nations Goannas and the Newcastle Knights.

Tickets go on sale today for the blockbuster match to be played at Hunter Stadium on February 8.

The First Nations Goannas brings together a selection of 16 of the country’s most talented ‘non elite’ Indigenous players who dazzled selectors at the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout and the QLD Murri Carnival.

The team will also star four current or former Indigenous NRL players who are yet to be announced.

The Indigenous stars will take on the Knights, with coach Wayne Bennett pledging to put forward a quality line up for the inaugural event.

Bennett believes the trial provides a great opportunity for young Indigenous players to compete against NRL players while also ensuring the momentum of the special celebration is continued.

"It is a privilege for Newcastle to host The Festival of Indigenous Rugby League," Bennett said.

"This game will form an important part of our pre-season as we get ready for season 2014."

The Knights are also eagerly gearing up for their first game of 2014.

“We’re all really excited to have the festival here in Newcastle and to get the chance to celebrate the importance of Indigenous culture in Rugby League,” halfback Tyrone Roberts said.

“With the game coming up so quickly, it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.”

The once-off trial match promises to entertain as it provides a platform for both elite and non-elite players to shine.

The match day will also feature matches between the QLD Indigenous Women and NSW Indigenous Women sides and the QLD Indigenous U16 and NSW Indigenous U16 prior to the main game.

Buy a ticket today to the event that brings all corners of the community together.

Festival of Indigenous Rugby League

Venue

Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

Tickets

• General admission: Adults- $18; Kids- $8; Family- $45
• Reserved: Adults- $25; Children- $15; Family- $65

Game times

• Gates open: 3pm
• QLD Indigenous Women v NSW Indigenous Women: 3.15pm
• QLD Indigenous U16 v NSW Indigenous U16: 4.50pm
• Newcastle Knights v First Nations Goannas: 7.00pm


Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster


http://www.nrl.com/tickets-on-sale-...nous-rl/tabid/10874/newsid/75860/default.aspx
 
It's in the blood for Emma Young

By Matt Logue

Tuesday 14 January 2014 9:59 AM

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Emma Young reckons she had no choice but to play rugby league.

“Well that’s what happens when you have eight brothers,” Young grins.

“I always played backyard footy and I’m used to playing against boys.

“So it wasn’t that hard going up against girls.

“It's just different in a proper competition, because you’ve got set plays that you have to adjust to compared to backyard rules.”

Meet Emma, the younger sibling of former Knights utility Michael Young, who played 20 games for the Club between 2004-2008.

She plays prop for the Maitland Pumpkin Pickers in the Women's Rugby League competition based in Sydney, while she'll also line-up for NSW when they take on QLD as part of the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League at Hunter Stadium in February.

The 24-year-old has been around football for most of her life, but it's only been in the past year where her playing career has significantly taken off.

Starting out with local club Maitland, Young has gone onto represent NSW and Australia at the World Cup within the space of just 12 months.

"It's all happened pretty quickly," she says.

"I started playing football at school when I was about 11, but this is my first proper year of playing.

"I got picked for NSW after playing for Mindaribba in the Aboriginal Knockout last year and I went from there.

"From last year to now, I’ve lost 30 kilos.

"So this whole experience has been amazing."

Young has achieved plenty in the past year, but she says nothing can top helping the Australian women's team win their first ever World Cup last July.

Playing alongside older sister Julie and sister-in-law Bec, Emma played a crucial role as the Jillaroos' defeated rivals New Zealand 22-12 in the final in Leeds.

“It was incredible,” she beams.

“I can’t really describe it, because it was all mixed emotions.

"It was good as well, because I got to experience it with my sisters.”

Young can't wait to don the blue against Queensland at Hunter Stadium next month.

She is especially excited because it will be the perfect opportunity to play in front of her brother Michael given his former links to Newcastle.

"I’ve always idolised my brother and seeing how happy he was running out there for the Knights," she says.

"It was like his dream to pull on the jersey and he got to do that.

"Michael is now working in the mines and he coaches us at Maitland and Mindaribba, so I want to make him proud.

"Our family pretty much is rugby league.

"We’ve all been raised on it, played against each other and watched it.

"I’ve always wanted to play, but my mum didn’t want me to play.

"My dad eventually let me play, so I just went from there."

Young says it's an honour to be involved in the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League in Newcastle - a vital chance to recognise the role her people play in the game and the community.

"It’s really important," she enthuses.

"If they didn’t have this, then I wouldn’t have even been in the Australian team because I wouldn’t have been seen.

"It’s also important for the community to be recognised and women in league as well.

"We always have a lot of family members watching.

"My dad (Les) drove all the way from right up north near Cairns last year just to watch me in a trial game, so all the family gets behind me and they'll all be at the game next month."

Including big bro Michael, who no doubt will be watching on proudly from the Hunter Stadium grandstand.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Its-in-the-blood-for-Emma-Young/89154
 
Peachey and Blacklock join First Nations Goannas

Friday 24 January 2014 10:00 AM

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Two of Rugby League’s most exciting former stars, David Peachey and Nathan Blacklock, will lead Laurie Daley’s First Nations Goannas in a trial game against Wayne Bennett’s Knights in Newcastle on February 8.

Peachey and Blacklock join with Rod Jensen (Cairns) and Dennis Moran (Parkes) as the four former NRL stars to be added to the Goannas team to play in the trial match at Hunter Stadium on February 8 that will mark the culmination of a week-long celebration in Newcastle of Indigenous Rugby League.

The Festival of Indigenous Rugby League will be run in place of the traditional Rugby League All Stars which is being “rested” in 2014 post World Cup.

The event will feature extensive community activities, as well as a Murri v Koori match and curtain-raiser games between the QLD and NSW Under 16 boys teams and QLD and NSW Indigenous Women’s teams prior to the trial match.

“It’s an opportunity that I never got in my playing career – to play in an all-Indigenous team – so it’s something very special to me,” said Blacklock, who is currently coaching in Mackay (QLD) and working as a mentor on suicide prevention in local communities.

Daley, who will coach the non-elite Indigenous Goannas team, said Peachey, Blacklock, Jensen and Moran would play a valuable role in mentoring the players on and off the field during the week-long camp before the trial game.

“These four guys were great talents in their playing days in the NRL, but since ending their professional football careers it is the tireless work they have done in the Indigenous community in particular that deserves just as many accolades,” Daley said.

“Their presence in the camp and on the field will have an enormous impact on the Goannas players and I know they are just as excited about getting the chance to play in this Indigenous representative team.”

The Newcastle Knights look forward the much anticipated first trial of the 2014 season with coach Wayne Bennett pledging to put forward a quality line up for the inaugural event.

Bennett believes the trial provides a great opportunity for young Indigenous players to compete against NRL players while also ensuring the momentum of the special celebration is continued.

"It is a privilege for Newcastle to host The Festival of Indigenous Rugby League," Bennett said.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/...nd-Blacklock-join-First-Nations-Goannas/89534
 
NRL clubs play host to Indigenous players

NRL
10:13am Sat 25th January, 2014

Premiership-winning Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has endorsed an NRL initiative which will see 14 talented Indigenous players have the experience of a lifetime next week as temporary members of seven Sydney NRL clubs.

The Bulldogs, Eels, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Sharks and Dragons will all play host to members of the non-elite Indigenous First Nations Goannas team which will play a trial match against the Knights at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium on February 8.

The trial will mark the culmination of the week-long Festival of Indigenous Rugby League being held in Newcastle in place of the traditional Rugby League All Stars which is being "rested" in 2014 post World Cup.

It will feature extensive community activities, as well as a Murri v Koori match and curtain-raiser games between the QLD and NSW Under 16 boys teams and QLD and NSW Indigenous Women's teams prior to the trial match.

As part of the build-up to the game, Laurie Daley's Goannas players will gather in Sydney on Tuesday when they will team-up with the club hosting them until Friday during which time they will experience firsthand what it takes to play in the game's premier competition.

"The Festival is a great concept, providing an opportunity of a lifetime for these young men to show their skills against an NRL squad in the trial game and during their visits to the clubs," said Hasler, who will host Queenslanders Davin Crampton (Cairns) and Reggie Saunders (Southport).

"Hopefully it will open the door to a start in the NRL in the near future for some of the players, but I have no doubt they will all take something home with them to inspire them to continue to pursue their dreams on and off the field."

Following their NRL Club experience, the Goannas will join the NRL Indigenous Players Camp at the Hunter Valley over the weekend, before heading to Newcastle for a week of training, personal development workshops and community activities ahead of the match.


http://www.nrl.com/nrl-clubs-play-host-to-indigenous-players/tabid/10874/newsid/75993/default.aspx
 
Alicia said:
So I'm guessing those not in the 9s will play this?
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. It's the weekend before it.

Alicia said:
I'll be on the Gold Coast otherwise I'd venture up. Is anyone going? Highlights would be fantastic!
Click to expand...
I'll try and tweet some score updates. But if ends up being like when they played Fiji Bahti it might flatten my phone's battery
 
Noticed that. I wonder what type of crowd it will get & who will be playing?

Ahh maybe I'm taking this trial to serious but it will be good to see some live rugby league again.
 
I think the Goannas will put up a very decent showing.
A lot of these guys are very close to NRL standard.
AJ Davis will really relish playing against his cousin, Tyron Roberts, in the halves.
There was a good article on Bobby Nona in the Sydney Herald this morning - apparently he was in the Knights NSW cup squad last year.

- - - Updated - - -

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/bobby-nona-sheds-50-kilos-in-bid-to-crack-nrl-20140128-31l1l.html
 
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