More than 47,000 people attended the 2023 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout on the October long weekend at the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex.
Hosted by Central Coast Council in partnership with the Newcastle All Blacks, the event is one of the largest annual Indigenous sporting events in New South Wales.
Also referred to as the ‘Koori Knockout’, the event, last held on the Coast in 2019, once again showcased the outstanding talent and sportsmanship of both men and women rugby league players.
Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith, said the 150 teams who participated across the four-day event, provided enormous entertainment for visitors who travelled from across the country to attend.
“We want to congratulate all the teams who participated, especially the winners of the men’s and women’s competitions – the Walgett Aboriginal Connection and the Newcastle Yowies respectively.
“Council is proud of being able to provide a venue of such calibre, which of course is also of huge benefit year-round for the local community and sporting clubs.”
Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, said this year’s event involved a larger number of teams than participated in 2019.
“With so many more teams participating this year, the Tuggerah venue proved it is the best complex to cater for such large numbers, which in turn has delivered significant economic benefits to the local community.
“While the final economic benefit figures are yet to be finalised, we anticipate the event generated around $6 million into the local economy, providing a direct benefit to our region’s small businesses and local employment.”
