Now in its second year, the AFLX camp in Halls Creek brought together participants from our Kununurra, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Derby sites for a day of friendly football, fun and festivity.
Travelling from all corners of the vast Kimberley area on the Wednesday, the girls converged on the Halls Creek school where they all camped together – most meeting for the first time.
The first game of the camp took place that night on the school oval, with the Fitzroy Crossing Warlibirri Wiyiani facing off against the Derby Desert Rose’s alongside a stunning sunset that set the scene for what was to come.
On Wednesday morning the action moved to the Town Oval, where the Shooting Stars teams were joined by the Gija All Stars, who travelled up that morning from Warmun to take part in the carnival. The carnival was opened with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by elders from both the Kija and Jaru language groups.
What followed was a rolling fixture of games across two fields, with each team playing multiple times over the course of the day in hopes of reaching the grand final. Between games, the teams that were resting spent time at the R U OK Day tent, where a photobooth with signs asking R U OK in local language were set up. They also had the opportunity to answer questions around mental health, allowing them to reflect on how to take care of your own mental health, what services are available to them in their local area and how to support your family and friends in their own mental health.
We were also lucky to have Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Service take part, offering first aid to the girls if required and running health sessions to deep dive into tackling Indigenous smoking, and exploring social and emotional wellbeing.
Superstar athlete for the Claremont Women’s Football Club and former AFLW player for the Fremantle Dockers, Jasmine Stewart, flew up from Perth to be part of the day, also supplying MVP prizes for each team. They worked alongside the West Australian Football Commission representative Eamon Rice and representatives from Garnduwa who umpired the games, kept score and handed out prizes to the girls at the end of the carnival.
At the end of the day, the winning team – the Halls Creek Wildflowers – were presented a trophy rivalling the AFL premiership cup itself, thanks to Mount Gibson who kindly sponsored the cup that will take pride of place in the Halls Creek Shooting Stars room.
To end the camp on a high note, the girls had a pizza party and disco at the school performing arts centre, socialising with the newly made friends and celebrating the successes of the day.
East Kimberley Regional Manager, Julie Dupen, was integral in the planning and implementation of the day. Reflecting on the camp, she said, “It was amazing to have all Shooting Stars sites across the Kimberley region come together again for this year's AFLX cup. There were many moments during the carnival students were able to display our Shooting Stars values both on the field and by showing leadership. This year's AFLX carnival was linked to R U OK day! It was fantastic to see our Stars embrace the message of supporting and checking on your friends.”
“A big Thank you to all our sponsors (KMAS) and community partners that contributed to the success of the event. We hope that the Shooting Stars AFLX cup will continue to be a highlight on the Shooting Stars calendar.
Shooting Stars were proudly supported in this camp by Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS), a member based, regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation providing support and representing the interests of eight independent Aboriginal Health Organisations from towns and communities across the Kimberley region.
Shooting Stars AFLX 2022 teams
- Fitzroy Crossing Warlibirri Wiyiani (Coach, Sam Shepherd)
- Halls Creek Wildflowers (Coach, Tanalia Kitching)
- Halls Creek Starlets (Coach, Dannielle Calwyn)
- Kununurra Ord River Magic (Coach, Kacie Durant)
- Derby Desert Rose’s (Coach, Tyra Hayward)
- Gija All Stars* (Coach, Georgie Major)
*Not an official Shooting Stars site, but invited to take part in the day
