Kimberley 9’s: Inaugural Football Beach Carnival.
More than 250 students from across the Kimberley gathered on Cable Beach last week for the inaugural Kimberley 9’s Carnival.
The Kimberley 9’s Carnival is the first of its kind, and is an AFL carnival for school aged students to encourage and promote school attendance, and reduce youth crime, while fostering positive relationships between students and local police.
Organised by the Fremantle Dockers, Purple Hands Foundation, and supported by Garnduwa, the WA Police, and Tyrepower, the event took place over two days, and was a huge success.
Fremantle Dockers midfielder Bailey Banfield was at the beach to offer support, and the Dampier Peninsula Police’s Senior Sergeant Andy Henshaw was also seen refereeing football games for both primary and senior students, and racing alongside the students in a sprinting competition.
Garnduwa’s CEO Mick Albert said the event was a positive experience for local kids, and a successful collaboration amongst partners.
“The program aims to entice good behaviour and attendance at school, with football being the vehicle to encourage kids to participate and do well.”
“The event allowed Kimberley kids the opportunity to have positive interactions with police officers, positive role models from both Garnduwa, and the Fremantle Football Club, whilst having fun, and showcasing good sportsmanship.”
“The event has proved to be an excellent collaboration between partners, and Garnduwa looks forward to working alongside the Fremantle Dockers and the Purple Hands Foundation again next year, for a bigger and even better event.”
The carnival singlets were designed by Aiden Albert, a recent graduate of the WA Police Academy, born and bred on Yawuru country with strong cultural ties with his mother’s family Nyul-Nyul people from Beagle Bay area and his father a Bardi man from the One Arm Point area.
The brightly coloured singlets represent the meeting place, Cable Beach, and the colours of white and purple representing the Freo Dockers, and nine black markings representing the players.
With WA police backing the program, and the event, it’s hoped the partnership can help to build genuine relationships with kids as a strategy to reduce crime in the Kimberley, and a way to inspire young people to consider the police force as a career path.