Breaking down barriers: Yuin Ducks focus on reconciliation at Nations of Origin

A team of teenage boys, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, travelled from the Eurobodalla Shire to take part in the rugby sevens tournament at the event.

Todd Chatfield, manager of social health at Katungul, said the footy was only a part of the event's importance.

"The focus was around reconciliation," he said. "The kids who participate are primarily Indigenous, but you can have non-Indigenous players in your teams.

"In the past we've taken only Indigenous kids, but we decided to mix it up this year.

"It gives young people a good insight into Indigenous culture, and it also gets the police involved in Indigenous communities in a positive way.

"The police engaged really well with both young people and elders at the event, and that doesn't happen too much back home.

"We're trying to break down the stigma with police. The kids engaged really well with them up there."

The team, the Yuin Ducks, competed in a rugby sevens tournament at the event, winning three of their four pool games before a loss in the semi finals.

The Ducks also sent a girls' sevens team to the tournament consisting of players from the Bega Valley Shire.

Chatfield said it was a big effort to get the two teams together.

"It was four different services working together to get a boys and girls team up there," he said. "Katungul, Campbell Paige, PCYC, and the Department of Education all played an important role.

"We engaged with the kids for some training and mentoring in the lead up to the event, and made sure they were behaving themselves in the community and staying involved in school."

"Both of our teams went really well. The boys team didn't get to finish its semi final because the game was stopped for an injury.

"They were down a try at the time, and because they had to wait for an ambulance, the game was unable to continue."

Chatfield said getting the teams to the event wouldn't have been possible without the support of local businesses.

"There's a number of local businesses who always jump on board with our programs where they can," he said. "They see the value in what we do, and they're always trying to help out in the community.

"We were also successful in getting grants to get the kids up there, and the RSLs and bowling clubs jumped on board to donate some funds.

"There were so many people and businesses who pulled together to get these kids and volunteers up there to participate in the carnival."

Chatfield hoped the event would have an impact on the kids' lives.

"If this plays even a small part in their lives, and helps steer them in the right direction, we've done our jobs," he said.

"We use the footy as an incentive, but the true value is the time we get to spend with these kids and the knowledge we pass on."