National Indigenous Tournament Success for SEQ Dingoes
Photos courtesy of National Indigenous Football Tournament
The South East Queensland Dingoes, consisting of players from Brisbane's Flight Centre Premier League and Capital Leagues, as well as the Sunshine Coast; returned to Brisbane as inaugural Champions of the National Indigenous Football Tournament in Nowra, NSW at the weekend, making history in the process, courtesy of a come from behind 2-1 success in the final which capped off a superb undefeated record throughout the competition. Chris Swain, who has played previously at Peninsula Power and Mitchelton, struck the winner from a curling free kick and in the process, earned himself the inaugural Jade North Award. Quite a feat for a player who's football journey only started at the age of 12 and moment he'll never forget.
Chris Swain in action for the SEQ Dingoes (left) and receiving the Jade North Award for the Indigenous Player of the Tournament (right).
He said, "The Jade North Award was for the Indigenous Player of the Tournament which is a big honour as it's the first time it's been awarded. Having your name on the trophy as the first recipient is historic and something I'll never forget". Asked how he found the level of competition, Chris said "The level of competition was pretty good and at times challenging. There is still a major gap between the Flight Centre Premier League and Indigenous football but it is progressing and in time the quality will grow with these national competitions".
The SEQ Dingoes - Allan Takken (Coach), Wayne Alberts (Team Manager). Players: Chris Swain, Matt Alberts, Nathan Walker, Jack Hayes, Steven Cleary, Michael Atherton, Kenny Lane, Ronald Woulfe, John Woulfe, Tim Woulfe, Jacob White, Aaron Smith, Liam Wruck, Ramone Close, Jared Austin.
The team was part funded by Football Brisbane to help cover the cost of registration, something team organiser and player Ramone Close was very appreciative of, "Logistically and Financially it would not have been possible without such support and the South East Queensland Dingoes will be forever grateful to Football Brisbane who have not only financially supported our team, but also our culture". Ramone himself has pedigree in the game having started playing at Capalaba FC as a junior and progressing to represent both state and country at school boy level before joining the Australian Institute of Sport. He had trials at Brisbane Roar, North QLD Fury and Gold Coast United before heading overseas where he played in Belgium and Poland. The success of the SEQ Dingoes could well pave the way for young indigenous players to take up the round ball game and perhaps one day reach the highest levels of the game and even play for their country in the same way as Brisbane Roar's Jade North. Traditionally football has taken a back seat to Rugby League and Australian Rules Football amongst the indigenous population, with both codes actively promoting themselves in regional areas with clinics and player visits to schools and clubs. It's something Football Federation Australia is looking to address and with the National Indigenous Football Tournament's exposure and initial success, an opportunity now exists to promote and discover indigenous players nationally. It's a sentiment echoed by both Chris and Ramone with both players exposed to NRL and AFL in their junior years before eventually finding their way into The World Game. Ramone explains, "Football is a world game and is one language! Unfortunately due to our history in Australia, issues arise in sport which leads Indigenous kids to codes such as NRL and AFL where there are more indigenous youngsters playing, providing them with a more comfortable and supportive environment to thrive and excel to the highest level". Chris adds, "I remember being in school and having footy players from both NRL and AFL come in, including indigenous players. I don't recall an indigenous soccer player coming to school to have a chat or run any clinics so automatically we looked up to the NRL and AFL players and that was the sport we chose. But then again, the A-League wasn't around and now that it is, we need more indigenous players to look up to". He continues, "These national tournaments can hopefully produce some talent and discover the next superstar to play in the A-League or W-League who can go on to represent Australia. With that being said, I think that's what it may come down to as we only have a handful of indigenous players in the A-League and W-League and we are trying to get young indigenous players to stick to this sporting code, but it's always a tough job when you have so many indigenous role models in different sports". Asked what it meant to Ramone and the team in winning the first tournament of it's kind, he replied, "Winning the National Indigenous Championship has given motivation, inspiration and opportunity to local indigenous players to step up and express their culture through Football". Could the SEQ Dingoes repeat their success in 2017? No reason why not Ramone says, "I am 100% certain that next year's campaign will be bigger and better for the South East QLD Dingoes. Having a year to prepare for next year's tournament will mean we will have a larger talent pool to draw from as more young Indigenous kids will be interested in participating. We were one of the only teams that didn't have sports physios, eskies or medical equipment, etc. All the things that make a successful campaign run smoothly. We are hoping that the success of this years tournament and our vision moving forward is supported and embraced by like minded individuals who are passionate about the advancement of Australian football through creating more opportunities for indigenous and non-indigenous kids alike, in events such as this". The tournament is set to run in Nowra for the next two years but after that, it's proposed that the winning team will get to host the following tournament each year and hopefully Brisbane will get to showcase it and the rise of indigenous players in the game. The State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, added to the SEQ Dingoes success with a speech in state parliament on Tuesday, praising Narangba United President Allan Takken who coached the side, as well as each of the players. You can view the transcript HERE.
The tournament received exposure on NITV also and here's a short video which features Chris's winning goal - https://www.facebook.com/NITVAustralia/videos/10154080606202005/
