Raymond Terrace is preparing to welcome the biggest Koori Knockout in the tournament’s history, with Newcastle Yowies vice president Uncle Abie Wright saying the club is expecting around 50,000 people to descend on King Park over the October long weekend.
The Newcastle Yowies earned hosting rights for the 2026 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout after taking out last year’s title, and Uncle Abie said 183 teams would take part this year, the largest field the carnival has ever seen.
“It’s going to be huge,” Uncle Abie said.
It is understood to be roughly a decade since Raymond Terrace last hosted the event. The Yowies last won the Knockout outright in 2017, when the tournament was held in Dubbo, before claiming victory again last year and bringing hosting rights back to Raymond Terrace.
Uncle Abie said planning began almost immediately after the club’s win.
He said the Yowies had worked through several councils before settling on the Hunter region, with Newcastle having the space and infrastructure needed to run an event of this scale.
For those unfamiliar with the tournament, Uncle Abie said it was about far more than football.
“It’s a gathering of indigenous people, but not only indigenous, it’s pretty well mainstream now for people who are footy heads and just love to watch some footy,” he said.
“It’s kind of like it’s a tribalism type of thing as well, like different people from different parts of New South Wales and a lot of the Queenslanders are coming down now and enjoying watching footy all weekend.”
The event will also include an Aboriginal dance ground, community stalls, and government and service provider stands, alongside kids’ rides and other family entertainment.
“No alcohol, no drugs. No, it’s a really safe environment for kids,” Uncle Abie said.
He said the cultural side of the event was just as important as the football, helping connect younger generations with community and culture.
“I think that culture is the foundation of Australia and people can come and be a part of it and it doesn’t matter who you are,” he said. “You can come along and experience a wonderful event that’s culturally grounded in community.”
The Yowies’ junior and women’s sides will also be looking to defend their titles, after winning four of five grand finals at last year’s tournament.
Last year’s Knockout was dedicated to the memory of Aunty Gwen Wright, Uncle Abie’s mother, who founded the Newcastle Yowies club with his father in 1993.
“She’s the matriarch of our club,” Uncle Abie said.
He said her memory remained close to the club as it prepares to host this year’s event.
“We’re very grateful to be able to host an event and be in servitude to the rest of the state and try and put on the best carnival we can,” he said. “So yeah, we’re blessed.”
Uncle Abie had a simple message for clubs and communities travelling to Raymond Terrace next month.
“Just come here and be safe,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to everyone coming along and enjoying themselves and we’re providing a safe space for everyone to come and enjoy and play sports and just to get along and meet new people and share the love with each other. So everyone’s welcome. Come along and come and share the love with us.”
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