NICKY WINMAR & KIRBY BENTLEY CARNIVAL

South Fremantle has completed a double triumph at the Kirby Bentley/Nicky Winmar Carnival at the weekend. 

UWA Park (McGillvray Oval) hosted the day in 34-degree conditions and saw hundreds of young first nations boys and girls participate in celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander football. 

Seven teams participated in the Nicky Winmar Carnival with about 150 players from all WAFL (West Australian Football League) districts, while six teams competed for the Kirby Bentley Cup, involving approximately 90 participants. 

The Carnival consisted of four rounds, followed by a Grand Final between the two most dominant teams within each competition. 

Reserves player Nixon Hamlet, coached the Nicky Winmar team to win a Grand Final- the first one since 2020. The Bulldogs defeated West Perth. 

The Bulldogs also claimed the Kirby Bentley Cup, a 21-point win over Perth. 

The event was supported by Rio Tinto, with their representative Bonnie Mason presenting the winning team of the Nicky Winmar Carnival their medals and trophies. 

Nicky Winmar Best on Ground – Jason Woodley 

Nicky Winmar Coaches Award – Jimmy Garlett

Kirby Bentley Best on Ground – Mihayliah Colbung 

Kirby Bentley Coaches Award – Shaya Yarran 

The day kicked off with a Welcome to Country dance performance by the Deadly Yongka’s and the didgeridoo played by Tim Kelly Senior. 

Ingrid Cumming performed an engaging Welcome to Country for the Kirby Bentley Cup, displaying her passion and enthusiasm for female football. 

In addition, the 13 Brigade representatives from the Defence Force were in attendance along with their 40M Military truck.

A feature of the day was having WAFL and WAFLW players, as well as our Rio Tinto Scholarship winners, give back to the community by coaching some of the participating teams. 

Derbarl Yerrigan Health, Healthway, Swans Café, WA Spit Roast and Mr Super Whipp also added to the event.

Troy Kirkham, Executive Manager Game Development and Community Football at the West Australian Football Commission, declared the event was again a success. 
 

“It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate First Nations participation in football for both youth male and females,” Kirkham said.

“To have the names of Nicky Winmar and Kirby Bentley aligned to these carnivals, who are both two of the best players to ever come out of WA, highlights the importance of this carnival on the calendar in terms of generating both participation and talent outcomes.

“It was a fantastic day on Sunday, and the way in which all the players represented themselves, their families and their WAFL Club is an absolute credit to them.” 

From players to officials, the carnival benefitted from the efforts of many.

“I would also like to recognise the Stephen Michael Foundation who provided umpires for the carnivals, who all did a brilliant job in officiating across all the games,” he said. 

CREDIT TO: WAFC