The Gnoonie Cup is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary with this year’s match at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Thursday, November 8.
Initiated by the family and friends of four young local Aboriginal boys killed in a tragic car accident in 2008, the annual game celebrates Aboriginal culture and raises awareness about positive life choices.
Joint event coordinator and youth and family support worker Barry Lawrence said the day provided a platform for support and togetherness for local youth and their families.
“It’s about bringing the kids together and having fun and raising awareness around risky behaviours in the community,” he said.
“Playing footy keeps them on track with something and keeps them off the streets doing other things they shouldn’t be.”
The event will start at 4pm with three matches to be played on the day – a girls game, followed by a mixed junior game and then a mixed senior game.
A number of high profile AFL players are also expected to attend to sign autographs and speak to young fans about the benefits of living a positive lifestyle.
Lawrence expects the anniversary event to attract crowds even bigger than the record attendance in 2017.
“Hopefully this year will be even bigger than last year, especially with the girls involved,” he said.
“The kids always look forward to it, they talk about it all year.
“They love being involved and they know what it’s about and why they’re doing it.”
Coodanup Clontarf operations officer Trevor Stack said it is a proud milestone to reach a decade of the game this year.
“It’s sort of grown it’s own legs and gets bigger every year,” he said.
“We have kids that were juniors in the very first year of this and they’re still playing.
“The game has grown with them.
“A number of these kids that have played the Gnoonie Cup have been drafted in the AFL, like Shae Bolton, Harley Bennell and Bradley Lynch.”
This year’s Cup will feature new guernseys for the seniors game, sponsored by Street Net.
The day is organised by the City of Mandurah and Billy Dower Youth Centre and funded by Healthways.
For more information, or to register to play, call 9550 3677.
