Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Youth and Communities successfully ran two intercommunity sports days involving several remote communities over the June-July School Holidays.

The sports days were held at Atitjere on 8 July and Laramba on 15 July.  The Atitjere sports day was open to participants from Engawala, and the Laramba Day saw participants travel from Yuelamu.  Youth, Sport and Recreation (YSR) staff arranged and ran both days, with staff travelling with participants.

The major activity on both days was an AFL game, which was very popular at both venues.  YSR staff umpired the matches, in which participants showed some great athleticism and tremendous enthusiasm.

Members of the local host communities also came along to the events and added colour and a sense of community participation.  Spectators enjoyed the AFL contests, and showed their appreciation of the players’ efforts on the field.

YSR staff organised barbecue lunches at both sports days, which were well attended by participants and members of the general community.  CDRC offices at both Atitjere and Laramba provided cooking facilities, which was greatly appreciated.

The Atitjere sports day also saw participants try their hand at basketball.

The overall success of both sports days was very encouraging, and Youth and Communities are hoping to hold more of these events in the future, possibly involving sports such as AFL, basketball, cricket and softball.

Photo: Stephen Royes (Youth Sports and Recreation – Engawala Team Leader) about to start play with a bounce-up.

Yuendumu now has thirteen new solar street lights. This was a project funded by the Yuendumu Local Authority to increase safety in the community.

 Twelve of the lights have been installed along West Camp Road and one in the Peace Park adjacent to the Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Office.