SPORT & RECREATION

BBRCDEP manages a range of projects to ensure sports and recreation opportunities exist for Aboriginal and Islander people in Bundaberg and surrounding areas.

The Sports and Recreation program also administers Sports and Recreation small grants. These grants are designed to help sports people attend events and also to fund local recreation or sporting events which have a health and community development focus.

Information on Sport and Recreation grants is available from the Sports and Recreation Officer Greg Appo on (07) 4151 5402, or email at sportsgrant@bbrcdep.org.au.

Coaching and Management Sports Tour

Greg Appo, Sports and Recreation Coordinator, recently organised a Coaching and Management Tour of Sydney, with 10 Murris from all over Queensland involved in either Sport and Recreation or Rugby League.

They went to Parramatta Eels training, and attended the Eels' game against Manly Sea Eagles. The astute and long-serving First Grade Coach Brian Smith couldn't do enough for the group, showing them through the whole training complex.

The group also attended Wests Tigers training as well as their game against the Canberra Raiders. Tim Sheens, a long time NRL Coach who won several premierships with the Raiders during the 90s, spoke to the group at length about Rugby League. He stated that the Aboriginal players he's coached over the years have talents that can't be coached into anybody.

Next, the group attended the NSW State of Origin training, and met all of the NSW Origin side as well as their manager, former champion Indigenous footballer Laurie Daley.

The group gives their thanks to Ricky Walford, Indigenous former NSW Origin winger who now works for Australian Rugby League as National Manager for Indigenous Rugby League, and Steve Hall, current Australian Aboriginal Coach, who chauffeured the group around and arranged for them to attend training and games.