00:00 It's one of the biggest Indigenous community events held in Australia, giving mob from
00:07 all over the country a chance to celebrate culture and football.
00:12 It's really that modern day corroboree where we get together.
00:14 It's good connecting with all the people, like all your brothers and that.
00:17 The Koorie Knockout started in Sydney in 1971 as a means to showcase Indigenous players
00:24 paving a pathway to first grade competition. Since then it's continued to grow and been
00:30 hosted by towns across New South Wales.
00:33 Our family come to this event for years and years. My grandfather was one of the founders
00:38 of the Knockouts.
00:39 It's getting bigger and better and all the younger generation are coming through too
00:43 as well and looking at their pops and actually sons and fathers actually playing together.
00:49 150 teams will play at Tuggera on the Central Coast over the weekend. The kids and women
00:55 took to the field today, with the men gearing up to play tomorrow.
00:59 The event also attracts some big NRL names, with many saying it's a footy highlight.
01:04 I love this weekend and it's always marked down in the calendar for me so I look forward
01:07 to it.
01:10 The gathering comes just weeks before Australia heads to the polls to vote on whether to enshrine
01:14 an Indigenous voice to parliament in our constitution.
01:18 But the referendum wasn't the focus for most people here today.
01:21 It's about family, culture, bringing everyone together for a good cause. In Aboriginal families
01:26 we get together a lot for sorry business. Knockouts bring family from afar and it's
01:30 for a good time.
01:32 The winner of the tournament gets to host next year's event in their own town.
01:36 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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