Record Numbers Attend NITFKO in Dubbo

Touch Football Australia (TFA), in partnership with the Regional Enterprise Development Institute (REDI.E), hosted the 2024 edition of the National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout (NITFKO) in Dubbo this weekend, with record-breaking numbers attending the event.  

A highlight of the annual Touch Football calendar, thirty-seven teams competed across five divisions this weekend at Katrina Gibbs Oval in Dubbo to smash the nineteen-team count in last year's instalment.

In a captivating final, the Castlereagh All Blacks claimed victory, ousting Newcastle Pambilang in a game that went down to the last play to successfully claim their fifth consecutive title at the event. Dawang Connections and Awabakal Connections were crowned winners of their respective Opens divisions.

In the Under 15s, both teams headed into the final undefeated, with Gomeroi Dhiyaan defeating Gomeroi Roos to claim the title. The Under 12s division saw the biggest increase in teams, jumping from two in 2023 to twelve this year. In the end, the Mini Koori Warriors were crowned champions, defeating Dreamtime Touch in the final.

The tournament continues to play a crucial role in TFA's Reconciliation Action Plan, aiming to create a sense of community, inclusive participation, enjoyment, and reconciliation.

Full results are listed below:

Opens Mixed Cup

Castlereagh All Blacks 4 defeated Newcastle Pambilang 3

Opens Plate Division

Dawang Connections 7 defeated Roberts Memorial 5

Opens Bowl Division

Awabakal Connections 8 defeated Wiradjuri Dreaming 3

Mixed 15s 

Gomeroi Dhiyaan 4 defeated Gomeroi Roos 1

Mixed 12s

Mini Koori Warriors 4 defeated Dreamtime Touch 3