Everything you need to know about upcoming NDRL All Stars Game

It’s the first time a footy match of this kind will be held in this patch and the reason behind it is about more than first-class sport.

Sport has a way of bringing the community together on and off the field and this is exactly what the upcoming NDRL All Stars Game in Gin Gin is set to do.

Northern District Rugby League chairman Robert Redfern said Evolution Mining representatives contacted the league about halfway through the NDRL season, looking to hold an event in Gin Gin with a message of “reconciliation and connecting with the community”.

Evolution Mining – Mt Rawdon Operations sustainability superintendent Paul Wright said the company was very active in supporting the communities in which they operate.

“Our Mt Rawdon Operation located just outside of Mt Perry, sits within the traditional lands of the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Goreeng and Taribelang Bunda Peoples,” he said.

“Evolution Mining has a strong partnership with the Gidarjil Development Corporation Ltd and together we came up with the idea for an All Stars game in the spirit of reconciliation and celebration of Indigenous culture.

“Evolution, with the Northern District Rugby League, set up the game as an opportunity to build on existing positive community relationships and to demonstrate true reconciliation across the region.”

There’s high hopes for a big crowd at the match which will be the first of its kind for the NDRL in the region.

“Gin Gin can turn out a big crowd as was witnessed at the recent NDRL Grand Final game,” Mr Wright said.

It’s hoped that should the event prove a success this could become an annual showcase trophy event.

Mr Redfern said the first official match of this type held in the Northern Districts Rugby League, sanctioned by the QRL, would include a smoking ceremony, cultural dancers, face painting, jumping castles and two games of football.

The first match is an exhibition of the NDRL’s Women’s League Tag game, which will be a club match, followed by the men’s All Stars game.

There will also be a post-match shield presentation to wrap up the event.

Mr Redfern said coaches had been appointed for each of the All Stars squads: Athol Eggmolesse for the Indigenous All Stars and Andrew Filo for the NDRL All Stars.

“The NDRL clubs are currently supplying details of interested players which we will be passing on to the team staff,” he said.

Redfern said Evolution Mining had also generously sourced cultural graphic artwork for the Indigenous team apparel which was now in production for the event.

“This has been an active partnership managed between the NDRL, Evolution Mining, Gidarjil Corporation, and the Queensland Rugby League,” he said.

The gate opening time has not been announced yet, but the free event will start at 4pm.

The Gin Gin Rugby League Grounds Rangeview Road Gin Gin.