Blacktown Western Warriors rugby league club celebrating indigenous culture

A “MODERN-DAY corroboree” to celebrate indigenous culture and a love for sport was the vision of the Blacktown Western Warriors rugby league club founder — and is going strong two decades later.

Indigenous rugby league club the Blacktown Western Warriors get together to prepare for their recruiting day this weekend. Picture: Justin Sanson

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A “MODERN-DAY corroboree” to celebrate indigenous culture and a love for sport was the vision of the Blacktown Western Warriors rugby league club founder — and is going strong two decades later.

On Sunday, the club will host a free skills day at Cavanagh Reserve, Lalor Park, from 2pm for boys and girls interested in joining the under-12 and under-15 teams. The club started 20 years ago by Aboriginal elder Vilma Ryan and is now run by her granddaughter Rondelle Stanley.

“What Nan started was for our men and youths to have a positive outlet in their community, rather than being drawn to drug and alcohol and violence that we see in the community,” Mrs Stanley, from Quakers Hill, said,

Junior players Delaraya Stanley 10, Koby Langworthy 9, Ben McFadyen 6, Sienna Stanley 8, Josh McFadyen 10, Blake Langworthy 11 and Seaun Stanley jnr 12 are looking forward to the new season.

“In Nan’s words, it’s a modern-day corroboree where we get together to ­celebrate our culture and something we all love — that’s rugby league.”

The club fields the men’s team in the Koori Knockout each year and in the past few years has aimed to get more youngsters involved to give them “some sort of identity, not only of their culture but of a community and be part of a team”.

“Last year there were 160 teams in the Koori Knockout competing from across NSW,” Mrs Stanley said.

Open mens front rower Bowen Ryan is tackled by club juniors (clockwise from bottom left) Seaun Stanley jnr, Sienna Stanley, Ayjay McFadyen, Delaraya Stanley ,Ben McFadyen and Josh McFadyen.

“Blacktown would love to win it and bring it back to the hometown. It’s a big pride thing.”

Mrs Stanley said there were a lot of young players who did not know much about their own culture.

“My boys are really into it — they eat and breathe football — so being part of a club gives them something to be part of, where the other indigenous players love rugby league as much as them,” she said.

“My husband plays and coaches and so does my brother … so it’s a legacy that we want to continue.”

The skills day is open to anyone from the greater Blacktown area.