• Monday 16th - Friday 20th July
•  Lakeside Sports Complex, 42 Leisure Way, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324
• Free to spectate
• https://www.pcycnsw.org.au/programs/nations-of-origin/

Nations of Origin is a multifaceted sport, cultural, education and leadership program which culminates during NAIDOC week annually. The program has four main components: reconciliation, education, cultural identity and sport.

An initiative of PCYC NSW, each team includes indigenous and non-indigenous players to promote reconciliation within communities and engage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members in PCYC through sport.

All participating sporting teams consist of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal young people in the formation of the teams. Cultural identity is a focal point of the project with all teams representing their community under their traditional local Aboriginal nation name from their area, with uniforms adorned with totems of their Aboriginal nation. This provides an opportunity for non-Aboriginal young people to learn about their local Aboriginal culture and foster relationships and understanding between local cultures.

Held over the past three years, Nations of Origin has quickly become the largest Aboriginal youth sporting event in NSW with more than 3500 participants since the inception of the program.

PCYC NSW CEO Dominic Teakle said Nations of Origin was now the largest Aboriginal youth sporting event in the state.

“It is a great example of how PCYC is empowering our young people through education, sport and reconciliation,” he said.

“Competitors are also given entry into PCYC’s flagship Blue Star citizenship and leadership programs as we encourage the next generation of community leaders.”

Commander of the NSW Police Force Youth and Crime Prevention Command Superintendent David Roptell said youth case management and school liaison police, as well as officers from local police districts from around the state, would be acting as coaches, mentors and support staff.

“These officers will be working with young people through their home clubs and travelling with them to the tournament,” he said.

“It is also a terrific chance to strengthen relationships between police and young people and encourage them to be the best they can.”

The competition has been sanctioned and is supported by the NSW Rugby League, Football NSW, Port Stephens Netball Association, Boxing Australia NSW and Basketball NSW.