Registrations are now open for the largest Indigenous rugby league carnival in Australia, the 38th annual New South Wales Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout.

To download team registration forms click here

This year's Carnival is to be held from 3-6 October at Kingscliff on the Tweed Coast in Northern New South Wales.

The best player over the four days of the Carnival has the opportunity to join the Australian Indigenous side for their clash with the New Zealand Maori on the opening night of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

The Carnival, the only one ever to be endorsed and supported by the Australian Rugby League (ARL), will bring together over 100 teams from all over New South Wales who are vying to be the state's best.

Along with the prestigious men's competition, there will be age group divisions from Under 7s through to Under 17s and also a women's competition. The Under 15's competition is the official trial for the New South Wales Indigenous Under 16s team, which plays each year in the curtain raiser to the ANZAC Day Test against the Queensland side.

Last year's Knockout title was taken out by the Wollumbin Warriors in a hard fought clash with the La Perouse Panthers.

In the long running tradition of the Carnival, the win meant the Wollumbin Warriors has the right to host this year's Knockout at their home ground in Cudgen.

Carnival co-coordinator Sol Bellear said the Knockout was a celebration of Indigenous Rugby League and the chance for young men and women from across the state to show their skills and ability.

“This year, along with the chance to join the Australian Aboriginal side up for grabs, the event will be covered by the National Indigenous Television (NITV),” Mr Bellear said.

“We are going to see top-line players competing and the rugby league will be of the highest quality.

“Every year we have NRL scouts from all the clubs on hand to see just how good some of these young players are and this year will be no different.

“The great thing about the Knockout is that it gives the kids from the country a chance to make a name for themselves and match up against the teams from the city.”

Wollumbin Warriors President and Carnival Host Selwyn Apanui said this year's Knockout is shaping as the biggest and best yet.

“We are expecting thousands of people from all over the state to travel to the Tweed Coast to be a part of this year's Carnival, which is not only a celebration of rugby league but a chance for communities from all over Australia to come together and catch up,” Mr Apanui said.

“The Carnival will be an alcohol and drug free family event. No intoxicated people will be allowed inside the Carnival enclosure.

“We will also be following traditional Knockout rules and with the ARL endorsement, we will be able to ensure professionalism in the refereeing, administration and insurances.”

A Carnival launch, with a host of past and present Aboriginal rugby league stars and other dignitaries, with a date to be announced next week.

For more information about the 38th New South Wales Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout or further information about this story contact Selwyn Apanui on 0431 571 973

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