King of the Kimberley 2025: Community Strength on Full Display in Halls Creek
After four years away, King of the Kimberley returned to Halls Creek with a renewed sense of purpose, pride and regional connection.
Across three big days, 16 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams travelled from every corner of the region to take the court - not just to compete, but to stand together in one of the Kimberley’s most significant community sporting gatherings.
For Halls Creek Basketball Association, who led the delivery of the carnival, the weekend was a major achievement. Their volunteers, coaches, officials and organisers held the event together with the kind of commitment that only a local organisation can bring. King of the Kimberley exists because communities like Halls Creek make it happen.
Garnduwa was proud to stand alongside them, supporting an event that reflects what sport does best in the Kimberley: bring people together, build confidence, and create opportunities for young people to grow as leaders.
A Big Mob Coming Together
Garnduwa Director Marmingee Hand experienced the return of KOTK as both a community member and long-time leader in Kimberley sport.
“King of the Kimberley is great because it brings the whole Kimberley together,” she said.
“We encourage Aboriginal people to participate in meaningful sport. It’s the whole person - how we support and capacitate the whole person - that matters.”
Marmingee reflected on the deeper meaning behind Garnduwa’s name, Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan, and why an event like KOTK sits so naturally within its purpose.
“It means a big mob of people coming together to do something. King of the Kimberley, Garnduwa Festival - that’s what Garnduwa has always done, and what we do best.”
Her words remind us that the power of KOTK is not only in the games played, but in the gathering itself - families travelling long distances, clubs supporting one another, and communities showing what’s possible when they stand strong together.
Honouring the Vision, Building the Future
The carnival also paid quiet tribute to its early founders, whose dream was to see the best of the Kimberley come together as the kings and queens of the region.
Now that the event has returned, there is momentum to build on that foundation.
“For me, you need to get your competition strong at home first, then the end product is them playing in King of the Kimberley - where we bring in scouts, skilful people, coaches,” Marmingee said.
Her reflection speaks directly to the pathway Garnduwa champions across the region: local competitions strengthened at the community level - regional showcases like KOTK - long-term participation, leadership and development outcomes.
This is exactly why events like KOTK remain so important, and why they need strong, ongoing support.
Local Leadership at the Centre
One of the most powerful features of the weekend was the leadership shown by the Halls Creek Basketball Association.
Their volunteers kept the courts running, coordinated fixtures, managed logistics and created a safe, welcoming environment for all teams. Carnivals of this scale can only succeed when local people lead the way - with Garnduwa walking alongside them to strengthen delivery, capability and connection across the region.
Aboriginal sporting organisations have always been the backbone of community participation in the Kimberley. KOTK showed how strong that foundation still is.
A Platform for Talent, Pathways and Pride
The competition itself was fierce, high-quality and full of moments that captured what Kimberley basketball is known for: skill, athleticism, discipline and pride.
The Bulls claimed the men’s title, while the Lady Shakers dominated the women’s division to be crowned Queens of the Kimberley. Both teams stood out for their consistency, teamwork and composure across the entire weekend.
But the deeper success was broader than the final scorelines. KOTK gave young players the chance to measure themselves, to be seen, and to learn from older role models. It brought experienced coaches together. It showed the depth of talent that exists in communities across the region — talent that deserves opportunities to grow.
As Marmingee put it:
“Aboriginal people are very good at sport. Basketball, football, whatever it is. Highlighting that talent, showing it to the region, is important.”
For Garnduwa, this is what leadership looks like: local people guiding their communities with pride and purpose.
Investing in Events That Strengthen Communities
Events like King of the Kimberley rely on strong partnerships - local associations, regional organisations, and funders who understand the broader impact of sport on wellbeing, connection and youth development.
Garnduwa’s Active Communities and Active Leaders programs, supported through initiatives like the Kimberley Sport Art and Culture (KSAC) agreement, are designed to uplift local delivery and create sustainable, community-led sporting environments.
While the weekend showed what communities can achieve, it also highlighted the need to continue strengthening local competitions, volunteer capability, facility access and pathway opportunities. With consistent investment, carnivals like KOTK can grow into even more powerful anchors for health, leadership and community resilience across the region.
Standing Strong, Together
KOTK 2025 was a reminder of what the Kimberley is capable of when communities lead and organisations work together with purpose. Halls Creek Basketball Association delivered an impressive carnival. The region showed up. The courts were full. The energy was strong. And the vision for the future is even stronger.
Garnduwa congratulates every team, volunteer, official and supporter who made the weekend what it was and remains committed to working alongside local organisations to ensure events like King of the Kimberley continue to thrive.