Desert Spirit at the MCG

Footballers from a remote Territory community will this weekend showcase their talent at the home of AFL - the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sport and Recreation Minister Karl Hampton said the Northern Territory Government provided a $10 000 grant to support the Yuendumu Magpies in the Desert Spirit Cup. 

Mr Hampton, a former Yuendumu player, said the Yuendumu team would take on a combined team from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands and Maralinga Tjarutja in South Australia in a curtain raiser to the Collingwood vs Port Adelaide AFL match.

“Collingwood has close ties with and has supported the Yuendumu team since 2003 while Port Adelaide has fostered similar ties with the APY/Maralinga Tjarutja teams,” he said.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for our young Centralia Australian players to play in this exhibition match against the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Thunder from South Australia,” he said.

“The Yuendumu Magpies play in the Central Australian Football League Competition and won the Ngurratjuta Cup in 2008.

”The Territory continues to produce fantastic AFL players and hopefully this opportunity will inspire these young players to reach for the top of their sport.

“Thanks must go to the sponsors and supporters such as Tiger Airways for making these sporting opportunities available to players.”

Tiger Airways Australia managing director Shelley Roberts said the airline was thrilled to be flying the players to the match.

“Tiger Airways is pleased to be supporting these Aboriginal communities through this inaugural football match, which will highlight the positive effect of sport for young people living in these communities. For some of the players it will be their first flight and we’re thrilled to have them on board two of our popular routes – Adelaide and Alice Springs to Melbourne,” she said.

Contact: Natasha Fyles 044 88 66 312

Media note:  Mr Hampton will be farewelling the team at the Alice Springs airport terminal today at 12 noon. Pls meet at the eastern side doors of the main terminal.