A day of celebration: Nathalia senior footballer Ash Quinn, Rumbalara senior footballer Andrew Briggs, Nathalia A-grade netballer Emma McDonald and Rumbalara C-reserve netballer Keegee Weston are looking forward to the weekend when Nathalia and Rumbalara will come together for a day of cultural celebration and recognition.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
Long-time Murray Football League compatriots and rivals Nathalia and Rumbalara will come together for a day of cultural celebration and recognition this weekend.
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The day marks the launch of a new Anti-Racism in Sport Accord (ARISA), which is aimed at ensuring community sporting clubs are safe for all people.
Initially slated to make its debut last season before COVID-19 brought proceedings to a premature finish, the partnership will help acknowledge and recognise the many Indigenous people who have contributed to sport in the region and celebrate the traditional custodians of the land on which the clubs play, the clans of the Yorta Yorta nation.
The day will also highlight the strong connection between the clubs, dating back to a time when Cummeragunja Football Club and Nathalia were local friends and on-field rivals.
Set to be staged at Nathalia Recreation Reserve, club presidents Josh Atkinson (Rumbalara) and David Liddell (Nathalia) said it was an honour to be involved.
"We know there are many stories of racism in sport, so together we aim to take steps to intentionally address the ongoing issues that exist within our community, by co-designing anti-racism action,” Atkinson and Liddell said.
“We look forward to signing this very important document that promotes inclusiveness which underpins the shared values and history between our clubs."
To help celebrate the occasion, Nathalia has enlisted the services of Suzanne Atkinson, who’s renowned piece Unison has been transformed into culturally inspired jumpers and dresses to be worn by the Purples.
Before the match, senior footballers and A-grade and C-grade netballers will gather for a smoking ceremony, while the half-time break will have the Academy of Sport Health and Education facilitate Indigenous games for children.
On the field, Nathalia will be looking to continue its charge up the table after toppling Tongala last week, while Rumbalara will be desperate to register its first win of the season.
Elsewhere, Cobram and Mulwala meet in a clash of the league’s two undefeated sides at Cobram Recreation Reserve.
Sitting on top of the ladder with an imposing percentage of 407.74, Tigers coach John Bruskill said his team came into this crunch clash brimming with confidence.
Scintillating form : Cobram’s Adam De Cicco has taken his game to a new level in 2022.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
“For us it is all about just going through our normal procedures, sticking to our structures and working for each other, if we do that we’ll give ourselves a good chance,” Brunskill said.
“We try and approach every week the same, we have been pretty impressive with our starts to games this year and we are looking to continue that momentum.”
However, Mulwala will present this Cobram team with an entirely different scale of challenge.
Sporting stars on every line, Brunskill said his team would need to be up for the fight from the first bounce.
“They obviously have a good midfield, so we’ll have to be very wary of that, and are kicking a lot goals, so our backline will be need to be switched on,” he said.
“Looking through their side it is pretty balanced all over the ground with Jackson Gash, Bodhi Butts, Will Gorman and Jack Sutherland all playing well.
“It’s a big challenge and we’re excited for it.”
Around the grounds, Tongala will be desperate to return to the winners’ list as it welcomes Barooga to town.
After a gallant effort against Deniliquin last week, Finley comes into its clash with a struggling Tongala confident it can cause an upset on the road.
Moama welcomes a red-hot Congupna in what is set to be a thrilling contest.
While Echuca United rounds out the weekend’s action with a trip across the border to Deniliquin to face the Rams.
