Latest news with #IndigenousAllStars
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I was ashamed': Departing Dolphin's impassioned plea in fight for change
There was a moment in the Dolphins' preseason when Josh Kerr laughed at any suggestion of his captaincy credentials, chortling there was no chance coach Kristian Woolf would appoint him as the club's leader. Yet soon after, he was called up on stage as co-skipper of the Indigenous All Stars in their triumph of their Maori counterparts, offering the inspirational words 'culture elevates culture'. 'I didn't know I had to do a speech, I'd never been a captain before so I didn't realise I had to get up on stage,' Kerr jokes. 'I was shaking and stuff – 'oh, thank you, Harvey Norman'.' But Kerr's pride in his Indigenous roots had not always been so obvious. Growing up, he reveals he simply wanted to fit in at school, and was not so willing to express his cultural background with admiration. 'I've been very blessed in my life, but when I was going through school I was probably ashamed at points in time to identify as proudly as I was as an Indigenous Australia,' Kerr says. 'The thing is I now feel embarrassed looking back on that and being that kind of person I was. But it was probably one of the best things for me because you learn to be proud within yourself. Loading 'When you get older, and you realise the impact you can have on the younger generations, that's what made me really want to dive in and be a great leader to my family and cousins.' Kerr will enter this week's NRL Indigenous Round the same larrikin and charismatic presence which has made him an endeared figure to media, but now driven by a higher purpose. As an ambassador for Deadly Choices, the 29-year-old has cast a keener eye on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – namely the angst generated this year regarding Welcome to Country. The prop cuts a more frustrated demeanour when discussing his anger at social media critics of the ceremonies – 'I'm sick of hearing 'why do I have to listen to Welcome to Country?'' But while he laments it's 'crazy that there's still a lot of that going on in the world', he stresses his role as an Indigenous leader and advocate was to help educate the 'arrogant' sceptics of the impact racial vilification has caused. And he implored the rugby league community to not limit their education on Indigenous culture and issues to NRL rounds dedicated to such awareness and celebration. 'You don't really like looking back at the past and all those atrocities that happened, however you need to have that bit of pain, look back and say 'how can we do better?'' Kerr says. 'Everything seems impossible until it's done. I would just love to be able to leave a legacy knowing I did my part for my kids when they grow up to make sure they're not ashamed, and they're very proud of who they are.' Kerr will enter Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium to begin his final stretch with the Dolphins, as the club confirmed he had not been re-signed beyond his 2025 deal. He will instead return to the Dragons, where he played his first 68 games, on a two-year contract. While Kerr was ushered into the Queensland Maroons' fold for their State of Origin game three preparations, Woolf said in July the squad's plethora of injuries – including forwards Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath – had opened doors for other prospects to make their case for extensions. 'It [the salary cap] is evolving all the time, what this year has given us with the injuries we've had is a real opportunity for other guys to step in and have a presence, and put their own mark on the team,' Woolf said, while expressing hope they could squeeze Kerr into their roster. 'Some guys have put their hands up to say they need to be in this club going forward.' Despite his desire to remain in Redcliffe, Kerr refused to get caught up in the hysteria of his next move, believing whenever he did his form plummeted. He now stands a key pillar in his side's finals charge, averaging 85 running metres a game off the bench at a time when he and his fiancé welcomed their first child – Atlas – into their lives. 'I've had this drama before where I've been in contract negotiations and I start really overthinking things,' Kerr admitted last month.
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘I was ashamed': Departing Dolphin's impassioned plea in fight for change
There was a moment in the Dolphins' preseason when Josh Kerr laughed at any suggestion of his captaincy credentials, chortling there was no chance coach Kristian Woolf would appoint him as the club's leader. Yet soon after, he was called up on stage as co-skipper of the Indigenous All Stars in their triumph of their Maori counterparts, offering the inspirational words 'culture elevates culture'. 'I didn't know I had to do a speech, I'd never been a captain before so I didn't realise I had to get up on stage,' Kerr jokes. 'I was shaking and stuff – 'oh, thank you, Harvey Norman'.' But Kerr's pride in his Indigenous roots had not always been so obvious. Growing up, he reveals he simply wanted to fit in at school, and was not so willing to express his cultural background with admiration. 'I've been very blessed in my life, but when I was going through school I was probably ashamed at points in time to identify as proudly as I was as an Indigenous Australia,' Kerr says. 'The thing is I now feel embarrassed looking back on that and being that kind of person I was. But it was probably one of the best things for me because you learn to be proud within yourself. Loading 'When you get older, and you realise the impact you can have on the younger generations, that's what made me really want to dive in and be a great leader to my family and cousins.' Kerr will enter this week's NRL Indigenous Round the same larrikin and charismatic presence which has made him an endeared figure to media, but now driven by a higher purpose. As an ambassador for Deadly Choices, the 29-year-old has cast a keener eye on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – namely the angst generated this year regarding Welcome to Country. The prop cuts a more frustrated demeanour when discussing his anger at social media critics of the ceremonies – 'I'm sick of hearing 'why do I have to listen to Welcome to Country?'' But while he laments it's 'crazy that there's still a lot of that going on in the world', he stresses his role as an Indigenous leader and advocate was to help educate the 'arrogant' sceptics of the impact racial vilification has caused. And he implored the rugby league community to not limit their education on Indigenous culture and issues to NRL rounds dedicated to such awareness and celebration. 'You don't really like looking back at the past and all those atrocities that happened, however you need to have that bit of pain, look back and say 'how can we do better?'' Kerr says. 'Everything seems impossible until it's done. I would just love to be able to leave a legacy knowing I did my part for my kids when they grow up to make sure they're not ashamed, and they're very proud of who they are.' Kerr will enter Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium to begin his final stretch with the Dolphins, as the club confirmed he had not been re-signed beyond his 2025 deal. He will instead return to the Dragons, where he played his first 68 games, on a two-year contract. While Kerr was ushered into the Queensland Maroons' fold for their State of Origin game three preparations, Woolf said in July the squad's plethora of injuries – including forwards Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath – had opened doors for other prospects to make their case for extensions. 'It [the salary cap] is evolving all the time, what this year has given us with the injuries we've had is a real opportunity for other guys to step in and have a presence, and put their own mark on the team,' Woolf said, while expressing hope they could squeeze Kerr into their roster. 'Some guys have put their hands up to say they need to be in this club going forward.' Despite his desire to remain in Redcliffe, Kerr refused to get caught up in the hysteria of his next move, believing whenever he did his form plummeted. He now stands a key pillar in his side's finals charge, averaging 85 running metres a game off the bench at a time when he and his fiancé welcomed their first child – Atlas – into their lives. 'I've had this drama before where I've been in contract negotiations and I start really overthinking things,' Kerr admitted last month.
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley says introduction of secondary tournament would help reduce ‘competitive advantage' in AFL
Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley has backed the idea of an in-season tournament, believing it would not only create excitement but also help reduce the 'competitive advantage' that exists in the AFL. Reportedly discussed last week at a meeting of club chief executives, a lucrative secondary tournament, similar to the NBA Cup concept, is apparently being considered for 2028 when Tasmania enters the competition . It would lead to clubs playing each other only once in the regular season, most likely in addition to Gather Round and Rivalry Round matches. 'It'd be great,' Dunkley said on Tuesday. 'If we can play every team once and then have a little in-season tournament, like the NBA do … it'd be really exciting for the competition.' Dunkley said it would also lead to a 'fairer' regular season schedule that was compromised by all teams not playing each other the same amount of times. 'When you play everyone once, it's good, it's fair, and you get to see how you go against opposition in one game,' he said. 'At the moment, there are times where we're playing different teams and other teams are playing different teams, and the competitive advantage is always a bit of a question mark for a lot of people. 'For us, it's about playing the best, and everyone, once, and then that mid-season tournament would be pretty cool.' Dunkley also supported the introduction of a wildcard finals round and the return of State of Origin football. '(This year) we saw the Indigenous All-Stars play that game before the season started, and that was really exciting,' he said. 'To be able to do that across the states of origin that you can represent, and go back to your state and enjoy that moment with other players that are from similar areas, that's priceless. 'I'm not sure the time of year that it's played, but if it is played mid-season, it'd be exciting.' Former Western Bulldog Dunkley and the second-placed Lions are chasing a hat-trick of wins when they meet struggling Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. The Blues are in 12th place on the ladder with just six wins from 16 games, with pressure mounting on coach Michael Voss, who captained the Lions to three successive premierships from 2001 to 2003. 'I've experienced when you're a bit under pressure at a Melbourne footy club, and it is hard, but you also (feel) there's nothing to lose,' said Dunkley in anticipation of a desperate Blues performance. 'That element of their mental thinking behind the game will be that their backs are against the wall. They've got nothing to lose, so we've got to really prepare for that. 'You get the best footy out of teams when they're thinking like that, and they've got that freedom in their game, so we're going to have to be on edge on Thursday night because they'll be rocking up, and we know that they'll play their best footy.' The Brisbane vice-captain said the Lions would relish another road trip, having lost just once in eight games outside of Queensland this season, as well as winning three successive matches interstate in last year's finals series to clinch the premiership. 'We love getting away together. We talk about our brotherhood, our mateship, and relationships that we have, not only as players but with the staff and the coaches,' Dunkley said. 'It's been nice to be able to have a good record, but we don't really look at that. We look at what we're facing this week, and that's the Blues, who will be red-hot.'
ABC News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Annual NAIDOC round showcases next generation in Physical Disability Rugby League
It's a cliché, but sport really was the winner in the annual Combined Indigenous All Stars versus All Stars Physical Disability Rugby League fixture. While the rules may be different, the action on the field at Redfern Oval on Sunday was every bit recognisable as rugby league. There were length-of-the-field tries, chip-and-chase kicks, and big-hit tackles. The Combined Indigenous All Stars players were hoping to hold the shield for an unprecedented third straight year. Bill Bussell is a proud Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri man who also lives with cerebral palsy. Bill is one of the most respected players in the game with over 100 PDRL appearances to his name. Doctors told Bill's mother, Kay, that he would never walk, talk or live past the age of 10. Yet the player affectionately known as "Bunyip" by his teammates recently celebrated his 48th birthday. The phrase "one big family" is used by just about anyone who plays, coaches, or watches the NSWPDRL. "It's not just a sport, it's a community and that's what I'm probably most proud about," NSWPDRL founder George Tonna said. The Combined Indigenous All Stars versus PDRL All Stars fixture is a centrepiece of the PDRL season and is played at the start of NAIDOC week. The Indigenous team is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, as well as Indigenous peoples from New Zealand and the Pacific. Todd Dorward is a Kullilli man living on Dharug country and has been a stalwart of the Indigenous side over the past decade. A prolific artist who is visually impaired and deaf, Todd designed the Indigenous side's jersey worn in the fixture since 2023. "It's very special, I can't describe it in words really," he said. Todd said the NAIDOC fixture gave him a chance to practise his culture on and off the field. "Smoking ceremonies welcome people to country, and to cleanse ourselves of bad spirits," he said. "And it lets the ancestors know that we're conducting formal events." Now playing with the Roosters, Todd has played for multiple clubs and represented Australia since he started the sport in 2015. A talented multi-sport athlete, Todd's living room is filled with medals and trophies for football, cricket, and rugby league. "I can't see why anything should stop anyone with a disability from playing rugby league or any sport in any manner," he said. George Tonna knows the transformative power of playing rugby league for people living with a physical disability. "It's saving lives," he said. A former player let him know the impact the game had on them. "He approached me and said, 'Thanks for organising because it saved my life.' As a lifelong South Sydney fan, he wanted to be able to play the game he was passionate about and not just watch from the sidelines. Since first established in 2010, the PDRL has grown from a few mates on a paddock to a four-team league backed by the NRL. Australia has a national PDRL side that has played in international tournaments. The PDRL includes eight of the 10 impairment classifications used at the Paralympics. But where this code differs is that athletes in different classifications all play at the same time. "All different disabilities [have to] fit in on the same field," George said. "So we came up with the concept of [players wearing] black shorts as tackle and red shorts as touch." Fumbles or dropped balls are counted as a tackle rather than a knock-on, and there are no scrums in this competition. Playing time is shorter with 20-minute halves. In 2026, Australia will host the second PDRL World Cup. NSWPDRL is also working with the Gold Coast Titans to develop a State of Origin series featuring NSW and Queensland, which has been a dream since the competition started. George believed the sport's strong community and a well-established competition would set up the next generation of players. "I can't play forever, so we need the young fellas to keep the game going for years to come," he said. One of those new faces is Wiradjuri teen Rowen Grooms. The 14-year-old lives with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, which can cause heart abnormalities and developmental delays. Rowen was never really interested in rugby league until he discovered the PDRL. Now he owns a football, which he kicks around with his grandfather, and watches games on television by his side. His grandmother, Denise Grooms, saw his confidence soar. "In his first game, the others were all so encouraging and letting him know what to do, and he scored a try," she said. "I have to say we are very proud grandparents as we watch him take the field to either train or play. On Sunday, the PDRL All Stars reclaimed the shield — and bragging rights — with a 26–4 victory. For Todd Dorward, the game was about more than just the scoreboard. "It's all about feeling proud of who you are and where you come from, and being with your people and culture," he said.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy legend holds back the tears as he issues huge request to team-mates as he makes big career decision
Retiring veteran Michael Walters reckons Fremantle can win the AFL flag as early as this year and he's made his teammates promise to let him be part of the premiership celebrations. Walters fought back tears on Thursday when he fronted the player group to inform them of his retirement, effective immediately, due to an ongoing knee injury. It brings an end to a glittering 239-game AFL career that featured 365 goals and countless highlights. The 34-year-old underwent knee surgery during the summer, made it back to appear for the Indigenous All Stars and a Dockers pre-season match, before being sidelined again. Walters made his comeback on limited minutes via the WAFL last month, but the writing was on the wall when he pulled up sore from that match and was unable to back it up. 'I have been working my backside off to try and get back to play some form of footy and while mentally I am still committed, unfortunately my body wouldn't allow me to continue playing,' Walters said. 'I never left a stone unturned, I tried to return and play again at the top level and it just didn't work out.' Fremantle (10-5) sit just half a game adrift of second spot, putting them in a strong position to challenge for this year's flag. 'I reckon they can go all the way if they stay in the moment,' Walters told the media on Thursday afternoon. 'This group is a mature group, they've got the right coaching staff and everyone around them, with the right leaders.' Earlier in the day, Walters let his emotions flow as he addressed his teammates - and he used the moment to ask them for one final favour. 'It's been a hard year for myself personally,' a tearful Walters said. 'But you guys made it so much easier. I'm going to miss the coffee yarns, just the hanging out and FaceTime calls. 'I've been around the game a long time, and I'm going to miss that the most - hanging out with you guys each and every day. 'I want you guys to promise me one thing. When you do win that premiership, let me drink a can of Jacks (Jack Daniel's) out of that cup.' With Walters' future now determined, more attention will turn to fellow veteran Nat Fyfe. Fyfe, who also underwent knee surgery over the summer, missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury. The 33-year-old made a successful comeback last month, but he will now miss the next two to four weeks after injuring his calf while warming up as the sub during last week's 12-point win over St Kilda. Walters, selected with pick No.53 in the 2008 national draft, won Fremantle's goalkicking award across five separate seasons and will go down as one of the club's best ever forwards.
