For First Nations communities across New South Wales, the Koori Knockout is about far more than rugby league.
Each year, generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people come together to celebrate culture, family, identity and connection.
The Koori Knockout is one of the largest Indigenous sporting gatherings in the country, bringing together more than 100 teams in the state over the October long weekend.
Squadron Energy is proudly supporting two teams competing at this year’s Knockout: Nanima Common Connection and Googars Rugby League Football Club.
This year’s carnival will take place at Kings Park Sporting Complex in Raymond Terrace and is being hosted by the Newcastle Yowies, who won the competition last year.
More than a football carnival
Nanima Common Connection founder Roy Ah-See said the Knockout is a “modern-day corroboree” that brings friends and family together in a positive environment.
“It’s the biggest cultural gathering in the country,” Mr Ah-See said.
“It’s about bringing mob together and celebrating who we are.
“For us it’s about our old people, the ones who have gone before us, our young people to give them hope and to try and instil pride in who they are and build a positive legacy they can be proud of.”
Nanima Common Connection represents the Nanima community, located 10 kilometres from Wellington on the banks of the Macquarie River.
The club has been involved in the Koori Knockout for more than 15 years.
They last made the grand final in Bathurst in 2024, where they lost to Walgett.
Mr Ah-See said while the team was dedicated to this year’s carnival, preparation had been “challenging”, with more than $80,000 in costs and players based all over the state.
“Lots of our guys are scattered all over New South Wales. For example, Kotoni Staggs played in his Koori Knockout with Nanima when he was 15, Tye Peachey is another product of our community. These guys help to bring everyone together!”
”It’s really challenging trying to raise funds and cater for 25 players, their families, footy gear, food, accommodation and travel.”
With travel, accommodation, food and equipment costs mounting, financial support plays an important role in helping teams participate in the carnival.
“Simply put without Squadron Energy’s support we can’t bring mob together,” Mr Ah-See said.
“We are extremely grateful because you are bringing our families together for a celebration of who we are and what we represent!”
Competing with pride
Squadron is also supporting the Googars Rugby League Football Club, a Dubbo-based team with a long history of competing in First Nations rugby league carnivals.
The club was founded in 1988 and originally named the Orana Googars. ‘Googar’ refers to a goanna and is connected to the local Aboriginal community and the western NSW region.
The Orana Googars competed in regular competition before changing their name and shifting focus to First Nations Knockout tournaments.
The Googars Club Secretary Belle Bonham said competitions like the Koori Knockout are “so much more than a football carnival”.
“It [Koori Knockout] brings First Nations families and communities together from across the country and creates a space where culture, family, identity and sport can all come together,” Ms Bonham said.
“It’s competitive, but at its heart it’s about connection, pride, belonging and community.”
The Googars have been preparing for the upcoming event without losing sight of what the competition is all about.
“We’ve been working hard to make sure the team is ready both physically and mentally, while also enjoying the process and remembering why we’re doing it. It’s about representing our community and our people with pride.”
Like the Nanima Common Connection, the Googars said Squadron Energy’s support had made a “genuine difference” in helping reduce the costs involved in competing at the carnival.
“Having the support of Squadron Energy helps take some of that pressure away and allows us to focus more on what really matters: preparing our players and representing our community,” Ms Bonham said.
“Having a major organisation recognise the importance of the Koori Knockout and support a First Nations team sends a strong message that our communities, our culture and our sporting traditions are valued.”