Something special happened out on Yulara Oval during NAIDOC Week this year – over 100 kungkas (young women) from 16 remote communities across the NPY Lands came together for a big, all-girl footy carnival!
It was the third year that the Kungka’s AFL 9’s event took place, a team effort by the NPY Women’s Council Youth Service creating space for confidence, connection, and young women to shine on – and off – the field.
And it wasn’t just all about footy – there was also disco, malu (kangaroo tail) cooked on the fire, crazy hair spray, face paint and all sorts of fun on the side.
For remote communities across the NPY Lands, the vast distances between communities makes the footy carnival a very special chance to come together. Kungkas travelled from right across the central and western desert regions, spanning South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory to be part of the event!
It’s good to get the kungkas out of community and to bring them together to play footy. It’s good they can all come together to play and have fun. I’m happy to see them enjoy each other’s company.
– Shalaylee Coombes, an Anangu Support Worker.
With help from AFLNT and a visit from AFLW Adelaide Crows players, the carnival was full of energy and support.
This event was made possible through collaboration with Ngaanyatjarra Council and Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee, with sponsorship from Maddocks Foundation and Igniting Change. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia helped bring the vision to life by hosting the event at Yulara Oval.
