what is the koori knockout

The Koori Knockout is an annual rugby league carnival that is one of the largest Indigenous gatherings in Australia. It was first held in 1971 at Camdenville Park, St Peters, with seven participating teams. The Knockout was initiated by six men and one woman affiliated with Koorie United, who formed the organization in response to the rapidly expanding Sydney Aboriginal community. The Koorie United committee proposed holding a statewide Knockout competition, which set out with different objectives than previous town-based knockout football and basketball competitions. The Koori Knockout is a chance for Indigenous families to connect and showcase their rugby league talent, with 150 teams competing across the mens, womens, and junior tournaments. The tournament is also an opportunity for people to represent their family and bond with relatives, and it is about family, culture, and bringing everyone together for a good cause. The Koori Knockout has attracted big names such as NRL players Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo Carr, and Nicho Hynes, who give back to the kids by coaching and mentoring them. The NSW Government backs the Koori Knockout as part of the ongoing strategy to better serve NSW Aboriginal communities and advance their collective. The State Library of NSW has an exhibition called "Koori Knockout: 50 years" that contains culturally important information, including the names and images of First Nations people who have passed.