10 February, 2010
NRL Indigenous All Stars Game a Huge Hit
10 February, 2010
The initiative to pit an Indigenous All Stars team against an NRL All Stars team was inspirational and had caught the imagination of Aboriginal people and Rugby League fans across Australia, the Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Bev Manton, said today.
"I'll be at the game cheering my heart out," Ms Manton - the sister of Rugby League Legend, Eric Simms - said today.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. The same goes for countless thousand of Aboriginal people who are coming from all over Australia.
"On behalf of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council I want to congratulate the NRL on supporting this initiative.Everyone hopes it will continue.
"Proof of the success of the concept is perhaps best indicated by the fact that the game - on the Gold Coast on Saturday - has been a total sell out for some time.
"In fact, given the success of this inaugural venture, it seems obvious that grounds with bigger crowd capacity will be needed in future years.
"Everyone looks forward to this concept being continued," Chairperson Manton said.
"To our people it gives a huge sense of pride, a fabulous opportunity to both celebrate the talent of Aboriginal people playing Rugby League and the continuation of Aboriginal culture generally.
"I know that those players selected are pumped and ready to go.
"They are playing for Aboriginal Australia.
"After all, what they are celebrating is the longevity of the world's oldest surviving culture"
_________________________________________________________