A new form of Rugby League was established last weekend when a team of 'Indigenous All Stars' put paid to a team of 'NRL All Stars' to kick start the 2010 season, a match opener scheduled for the next two seasons as well.
The result was an Indigenous All Stars victory of 16 to 12 over the NRL All Stars. It was a night to remember on the Gold Coast.
The Indigenous dancing along with the didgeridoo music was a feature as was the very idea of a team of indigenous Australians. Moreover there wasn't a racist tone or voice in the place. This was a celebration.
There is a long history of indigenous Australians in Rugby League and the major professional clubs were never short of noticing talent. This has been one of the hallmarks of Rugby League and its been a credit to the code.
Moreover such was the good-will tone there was even a thought of the Indigenous All Stars becoming a national club to compete in the NRL. This would be radical.
Christians have been well aware that Sports play a huge role in the lives of indigenous communities. Not only have there been top Rugby League stars from these indigenous communities, we can add sports such as tennis, track & field, cricket and hockey to name but three.
We can now add cricketer Dan Christian who has been named in the Australian Twenty/20 team. Peter Roebuck in the Sydney Morning Herald says that Dan Christian has much to offer. An impressive young man, he comes from the Wiradjuri people of the Riverina. He captained the Aboriginal team that toured England in 2009. Actually cricket was lucky to keep him because, like his dad Clem, he was a promising league player but cricket called louder.
This writer wrote a feature article on Christian outreach and indigenous sports which was highlighted as one of the top 25 articles of the decade published in Christian Today Australia.