Midwest take out 2017 Nicky Winmar Cup

More than 400 Aboriginal boys aged 13 to 15 from all parts of Western Australia took to Bendigo Bank Stadium in Mandurah for the 2017 Nicky Winmar Cup on March 6.

The round-robin tournament concluded with a thrilling Grand Final clash between the Midwest and South West teams. Midwest crowned winners after cementing a 3.1 (19) to 2.1 (13) victory over South West.

A record 16 teams participated in the cup event and a total 27 matches were played, an incredible jump from the five teams that participated in the competition’s first year in 2009.

Coordinated by the West Australian Football Commission in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation and the City of Mandurah and sponsored by RediMed, the Australian Defence Force and Rio Tinto, the carnival provides an opportunity for young Aboriginal players to have their talent recognised by the West Australian Football League (WAFL) clubs and potentially find a pathway to a higher competition.

The carnival also provides a selection platform for the AFL National Kickstart Championships.

This year also marked the first time the carnival combined with an Aboriginal Youth Girls Netball Carnival, which was run by Netball WA and featured over 200 participants.

Community Engagement Manager Paul Mugambwa said the event was a great success and the participants all had something important to take away with them.

“A lot of hard work was done in the build-up to the event with players receiving various presentations and sessions on health and wellbeing, drugs and alcohol and anti-social behavior,” Mugambwa said.

“A huge focus was also placed on school attendance as a requirement for participants to be involved in the event.

“Overall the carnival has grown to be an opportunity for all participants to showcase their talent, while also providing a development pathway for not only the players, but also the coaches, umpires and administrators both on and off the field.”

Photo album can be found at the WA Football Facebook page