Richmond will play the Qantas Indigenous All Stars in Darwin as part of its preparation for the 2011 NAB Cup.
The Northern Territory Government, in conjunction with AFLNT and the Richmond Football Club, today announced that the match will be held at TIO Stadium on Saturday, February 5, 2011.
The match will be broadcast at 8:30pm nationally on ABC (check local guides), with live coverage into Victoria.
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Richmond kicks off its 2011 NAB Cup campaign the following week, on Saturday, February 12, against Carlton and Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.
It will be an important preparation for the Tigers’ home-and-away match against Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium in Round 10 of the 2011 season.
“We are proud and excited to be a part of this event, which is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our young Richmond team against some of the most talented Indigenous players in the country,” said Richmond’s CEO Brendon Gale.
“Playing a game in Darwin will also help us continue the work we do with Indigenous communities. We will incorporate the Community Camp activities in the Northern Territory in the lead-up to the match, including visiting local indigenous communities, which will provide some of our players with rich learning and development opportunities.
“This is an extension of the work we have been doing in the Northern Territory, in particular the Alice Springs region, where we have been visiting schools and football clubs for the last three years delivering important messages promoting healthy lifestyles, school attendance and respect in the schoolyard. That important work has been made possible thanks to the outstanding support we receive from our program partner Dick Smith.”
Richmond’s presence in Darwin also ties in with the Indigenous Institute at Punt Road, which will be completed early in 2011.
“With the support of the AFL, Richmond looks forward to creating a unique and culturally aware environment, where young Indigenous people can celebrate their culture while embracing education,” Gale said.
AFL Northern Territory CEO Tony Frawley said the Richmond v All Stars match would be a “showcase like none other”.
“It’s fantastic that the Northern Territory can once again host this fantastic event,” he said.
“The game could also see the possible joining of some of the NT’s greatest football exports, such as Yuendemu’s Liam Jurrah, the Melville Island’s Austin Wonnaemirri, Gove’s Nathan Djekurra, the Davey brothers from Palmerston and the “Lajamanu Lightning Bolt”, Liam Patrick, who could all feature in this celebration of indigenous talent.”
Tickets for this much-anticipated clash are due to go on sale in mid-December, along with a vast array of corporate packages.
For further info, visit www.aflnt.com.au.
