The Bunbury Junior NAIDOC 7’s saw well over 1,000 junior participants from all over the state head to Leschenault Leisure Centre for a weekend of fun, rugby and celebration.
Bunbury Barbarians Junior Rugby Club and RugbyWA hosted juniors across a two-day rugby sevens tournament, to cap off NAIDOC week last weekend. With participants from as far north as Joondalup, and as far south as Esperance, the tournament was an opportunity for the rugby community to come together in the South West to celebrate the First Nations countries in which they all played and train upon throughout the year.
“[It’s important to] Celebrate Indigenous Australians while playing a sport that I love,” young Ellenbrook Vipers player, Jeremy shared.
Held on Wardandi Noongar land, the day was a raging success, with players from Under 8’s, Under 10’s, Under 11’s and Under 12’s making up thirty-three teams.
Teams were competing for the Cup Championship throughout the two days across all age grades. From Under 8’s, Gargangara Boodja Arks took home to Cup, alongside North Coast Kwilas in the Under 10’s, Kwinana Wolves in the Under 11’s and Katadjen Bunjis Kalamunda in the Under 12’s.
All the teams playing sported Noongar language team names, to honour the lands they live, train and play on. These teams included North Coast Kwilas, Barbarian Karla (Bunbury), Gynning (Ellenbrook), Joondalup Ngoonee, Yonga Dogs (Wanneroo), Katadjen Bunjis Kalamunda, Kwinana Wolves, Gargangara Boodja Arks, Mandjoogoordap (Mandurah), Wooditijup Bilya Carbern (Margaret River) and South West Waugal.
Western Force players, Sam Carter and Reed Prinsep, both travelled down to Bunbury to celebrate the day.
“I think for me, the best thing is seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces,” Princep said. “Everybody’s enjoying their rugby.”
“Loving seeing some of the speed out wide, scoring tries and the efforts on defence as well, it’s been pretty cool to watch.”
The Bunbury Barbarians Junior Rugby Union Club and RugbyWA acknowledges the Wardandi people as the custodians of this beautiful country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures, and to Elder’s past, present & emerging.
RugbyWA is set to host a series of rugby sevens events throughout the 2024 off-season. To learn more, visit wa.rugby/rugby7s.
