2021 NSW INAUGURAL INDIGENOUS CHAMPIONSHIPS

2021 NSW Inaugural Indigenous Championships were successfully held on 6 June 2021 at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls.

There were over 80 entries for the Championships with the furthest travellers being the contingent from Narrandera who tipped out the boys from Chatham for distance covered.

The format of the event called for a round robin of 4 players initially where each of them played matches against the other players in their group. The winners and runners up then proceeded to the knockout stage to determine the overall winners.

The Championships concluded with the final where Ethan from the Endeavour Academy finally defeated Hunter from the Cranebrook Academy for the Gold Medal with both boys enjoying the vocal support of their fellow students. The Championships were enjoyed by all the students with numerous requests to have the event every year.

Vice President of TTNSW, Ted Davis said: “In early 2020 Jeremy Hunter, the Director from the Airds Clontarf Academy decided that it was time to take the next step in the table tennis arena and contacted us with a view to organising a State Championship. The onset of the pandemic meant that the organisation of the event could not take place in 2020 and thus the date was finally set for June 2021.”

Director of Airds Clontarf Academy, Jeremy Hunter said: “The Clontarf Foundation aims to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningfully in society.”

Jeremy continued: “The Clontarf Foundation commenced in 2000 with a single academy located at the Clontarf Aboriginal College in Waterford, WA. The programme catered for 25 students and was operated by two staff members, including founder and current CEO Gerard Neesham.

More than 20 years on, the Foundation operates 131 academies in WA, NT, QLD, NSW, VIC and SA, supports more than 10,000 participants and employs over 500 dedicated staff members. Clontarf helps young men to attend school, finish Year 12 and enter employment.”

Jeremy emphasized: “Using supportive relationships, a welcoming environment and a diverse range of activities, the young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in our programme develop improved self-esteem and confidence which assists them to participate in education, employment and society in a positive way.

Our approach has proven to be very successful, not only in attracting young men to school and keeping them there, but also in having them embrace more disciplined, purposeful and healthy lifestyles.”

Ted said: “TTNSW is delighted that the Clontarf Foundation have arranged for table tennis tables to be placed in all the schools with whom they are involved. The students have embraced the sport with large numbers playing regularly.”

Ted continued: “Jeremy contacted all the other Clontarf Academies in NSW and was encouraged by the responses he received which then allowed us all to proceed. TTNSW thanks for Jeremy’s effort.”

Both Jeremy and Ted congratulated all the students on their participation in the event and look forward to an even bigger turnout for the next Championships.