Former hurdling champion Kyle Vander Kuyp says the Territory needs clearer pathways for indigenous athletes
A 12-time national hurdling champion, in town for the Darwin Gift, says the NT needs clearer pathways for indigenous athletes.
Northern Territory
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THE Territory needs stronger pathways for its talented indigenous athletes, former champion hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp says.
The 50-year-old, who will be at the NTFL’s grand final on Saturday at TIO Stadium for the Darwin Gift, said development programs for indigenous athletes had marginally improved since he first began hurdling in the 1980s at Ringwood Little Athletics Club, but too often they needed luck to get noticed.
“It’s improved a little, it needs to get better,” Vander-Kuyp told NT News.
“I think a lot of sports do the participation part well, they get people involved.
“I think that participation part needs to be met with a development part in the middle.
“Not just identify someone but then provide them a real pathway.”
The 12-time 110m national champion said other professional sports did a better job of identifying and developing indigenous talent, referencing the case of Darwin’s Jack Peris who was drafted by St Kilda.
“You envy AFL when they’ve got good, strong pathways, a young person can get in and play with the Tiwi Bombers, that might get them talent scouted,” he said.
“You can sort of map out where to go.
“Indigenous talent, you know it’s out there but it’s uncovering it (which is the key).”
He said too often luck was the key reason why an indigenous athlete was discovered and nurtured.
“Sometimes it’s the lucky ones who get all the way through,” he said. “Why does an indigenous person need to have luck? Let’s try to take the luck out. I don’t want an indigenous talent to be undiscovered.”
Vander Kuyp admitted having a good athletics club as a junior was essential to nurturing his skills — an opportunity which some indigenous athletes lacked.
“For others, it’s a little bit hard to piece together, if you don’t compete for a club or have regular athletics competitions,” he said.
“There definitely needs to be a lot more.
“It’s hard for an individual who might have a bit of talent, it’s hard for them to bridge that gap (when they’re thinking): ‘How do I become elite?’”
He said Saturday’s gift would be a “laid-back way” to draw some new local talent, allowing the net to be cast wider in the Territory to identify the next Cathy Freeman.
However, Vander Kuyp, who had often used Darwin as a training camp before a major hurdling event, said there had been strategic wins along the way for indigenous athletes.
This included more indigenous programs such as Red Dust Role Models and Athletics for the Outback, while Athletics Australia and the Australian Olympic Committe had developed reconciliation action plans.
Darwin Gift details:
Three races will be held on Saturday at the NTFL grand final: a 100m race for indigenous men aged 14 and over; a 100m race for women aged 14 and over and an “All Comers” event, open to anyone aged 14 years and over.
Winners of all three races will receive return airfares and accommodation to compete in the Stawell Gift during Easter.
The run home to NTFL finals
With just four rounds to go in the NTFL Men’s Premier season, NT News has dusted off the crystal ball to predict where teams will finish up before the finals.
For each side, we’ve provided win-loss estimations for the last month of NT footy, ladder finishes and their most influential players who promise to be integral come finals time.
WHO DO THINK WILL WIN THE PREMIERSHIP? VOTE IN OUR POLL BELOW.
2021-22 NTFL’s RUN HOME
NIGHTCLIFF
Round 15: Win v Tiwi at TIO Stadium
Round 16: Win v Palmerston at Nightcliff Oval
Round 17: Win v Districts at Norbuilt Oval
Round 18: Win v Waratah at TIO Stadium
Win-Loss: 4-0
Ladder Finish: First.
What We Say:
Nightcliff have perhaps the easiest run home of the top four sides, facing off against two teams no longer in finals contention.
However, a game against Waratah in the final round is a potential banana skin for the reigning premier.
Also, an upset chance for Districts is not completely off the table.
The Crocs remain the only side, other than Saints, to knock off the top team over the past two seasons and will be gunning for another bite.
Key Players:
Nightcliff is a team of champions, chock-full of talent, so it’s always a hard task to pick the absolute premium performers.
But the in-form Shaun Wilson has more than shown his quality this season, while dual Nichols Medallist Brodie Filo is coming into his own and defender Ryan Nyhuis holds the fort down back.
WARATAH
Round 15: Win v Wanderers at Gardens Oval
Round 16: Loss v Saints at Gardens Oval
Round 17: Win v Buffaloes at TIO Stadium
Round 18: Loss v Nightcliff at Gardens Oval
Win-Loss: 2-2
Ladder Finish: Third.
What We Say:
It’s a tough draw for any side but the Tahs know as well as anyone that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Matches against the rest of the top four will be a clear preview of what to expect come finals time.
The red and whites will be happy with the chance to host both Saints and Tigers at home, too.
Key players:
As with any side, Covid has had an impact on the Tahs but they’ve got plenty of class players at their disposal.
East Perth product Jayden Magro has been the recruit of the season, Brodie Carroll is back in fine nick while the classy Dylan Collis can turn it on when he needs to.
WANDERERS
Round 15: Loss v Waratah at Gardens Oval
Round 16: Win v Buffaloes at Tracy Village Oval
Round 17: Win v Palmerston at Cazalys Arena
Round 18: Loss v Saints at TIO Stadium
Prediction: 2-2
Ladder Finish: Fourth.
What We Say:
After a close loss to Waratah, the Muk Muks have two weeks to regroup against sides they will fancy themselves against.
However, a final round match against St Mary’s may spell the end of their top three ambitions.
Otherwise, they won’t mind their draw much at all, with plenty of time to showcase their pace and get their list right for finals.
Key Players:
There is no looking past the intercept king of the NTFL in Brodie Newman — his work down back can never be understated.
Ed Simpson is an elite goal kicker, but his ability to also provide goalscoring opportunities is almost as good.
And captain Braedon McLean will make sure his side kicks on at the right time of the season.
ST MARY’S
Round 15: Win v Districts at TIO Stadium
Round 16: Win v Waratah at Gardens Oval
Round 17: Win v Tiwi at TIO Stadium
Round 18: Win v Wanderers at TIO Stadium
Prediction: 4-0
Ladder Finish: Third.
What We Say:
An unbeaten run-in may be a little ambitious but St Mary’s have all the pieces to get themselves over the line.
Waratah and Wanderers will be no easy beats and a big test for the Saints.
But on their day with a full squad to pick from, this is a team which can beat anybody.
Key Players:
Look no further than captain Nate Paredes.
He’s a constant at the top of the stats board and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Speedster Nick Yarran is having one of his best seasons for the Green Machine and goal scoring leader Jackson Calder is in prime form.
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Round 15: Loss v Saints at TIO Stadium
Round 16: Win v Tiwi at TIO Stadium
Round 17: Loss Nightcliff at Norbuilt Oval
Round 18: Win v Buffaloes at Norbuilt Oval
Win-Loss: 2-2
Ladder Finish: Fifth.
What We Say:
Two home games to round out the season is a tasty prospect and the Crocs know that on their day they can get the better of any side, including Nightcliff.
But they won’t be relying on a win against the league’s top side.
Instead, a safe game against Tiwi should give them the points necessary to keep fifth spot — the rest is up to them.
Key Players:
Michael Bowden has been the stat king this season, picking up disposal after disposal to give the Crocs the edge.
Johnathon Ross is a strong presence up forward while captain Dean Staunton puts in plenty of work through the midfield.
DARWIN BUFFALOES
Round 15: Win v Palmerston at Cazalys Arena
Round 16: Loss v Wanderers at Tracy Village Oval
Round 17: Loss v Waratah at TIO Stadium
Round 18: Loss v Districts at Norbuilt Oval
Win-loss: 1-3
Ladder Finish: Sixth.
What We Say:
It’s a do or die draw for the Buffaloes.
A win against Palmerston is most likely considering recent form, and a further win against Districts will be a massive confidence booster.
But finals action looks out of sight unless they win all four, and the odds are against them.
Waratah will be eyeing their meeting as a percentage booster and only a supreme effort will get Buffs over the line.
Key Players:
Ben Archard has been the premier ruckman of the 2021-22 competition, racking up the hit outs each and every week.
Captain Jarrod Stokes is still at his dangerous best and can upset any side, while young gun Thomas Clarke is never one to discount.
PALMERSTON MAGPIES
Round 15: Loss v Buffaloes at Cazalys Arena
Round 16: Loss v Nightcliff at Nightcliff Oval
Round 17: Loss v Wanderers at Cazalys Arena
Round 18: Win v Tiwi at TIO Stadium
Win-Loss: 1-3
Ladder Finish: Seventh.
What We Say:
It’s another season without finals action for the Magpies.
But there have been plenty of signs pointing towards improvement.
Three wins is an increase on recent seasons and a mixture of youth and experienced performers is starting to have an impact.
However, any draw including Nightcliff and Wanderers racing towards finals is a tough prospect.
Tiwi is the only sure win here while Buffaloes could be a chance at home.
Key Players:
Eric Guthrie is undeniably the player that makes this Palmerston side tick.
Young gun Waylon Davey is an excitement packet while former Melbourne Demon Neville Jetta is the general down back.
TIWI BOMBERS
Round 15: Loss v Nightcliff at TIO Stadium
Round 16: Loss v Districts at TIO Stadium
Round 17: Loss v Saints at TIO Stadium
Round 18: Loss v Palmerston at TIO Stadium
Win-Loss: 0-4
Ladder Finish: Bottom.
What We Say:
Sadly, with travel restrictions it looks as if Tiwi may not be able to play out the rest of the season and have forfeited every game since the mid-season break.
Key Players:
Kim Kantilla and Dion Munkara are always players to watch from the Bombers. Unfortunately, they were unable to kick on.
PREDICTED LADDER:
Nightcliff 60pts
St Mary’s 50pts
Waratah 50pts
Wanderers 44pts
Districts 30pts
Buffaloes 18pts
Palmerston 16pts
Tiwi 0pts
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