This weekend will see the Northern Territory Football League celebrate Indigenous Round.
The 5:00pm game between Darwin Buffaloes and Wanderers will see the two teams play for the inaugural Nungalinya Cup.
With both clubs holding important connections and history to the Larrakia country and the Bagot and Belyuen communities, they have been granted permission to use the term ‘Nungalinya’; the place where the Larrakia spirit comes from the Earth and goes into mothers’ bellies, and life for the Larrakia commence. It has been described as the beginning and the end, where the spirit returns after life.
The cup will be presented to the winning team post-game by Northern Territory football great Mark Motlop who holds ties to both clubs.
Larrakia traditional owner Richard Fejo will perform a special ‘Welcome to Country’ and toss the coin between the club captains before the game.
Teams will wear specially designed Indigenous Round guernseys and clubs will have merchandise on sale throughout the day at TIO Stadium. There will also be face painting and other family friendly activities.
In addition to the Nungalinya Cup game, AFL Northern Territory has recognised that the two clubs along with St Mary’s do not get a home venue and therefore do not get to host home games. Thus, any profits made at TIO Stadium on Saturday 16 November for Round 7 will be split between the three clubs.
