Tiwi Islands new 1.5 million-dollar changeroom facilities at Wurrumiyanga Oval will be used for the first time this weekend by local and visiting footballers who are participating in the three-day 2018 Tiwi Islands Lightning Carnival.
Now in its third year, this year’s carnival will feature a women’s representative match between Under 18 and Women’s players from Darwin Buffaloes and the Tiwi Bombers. This game will be played at 6pm on Saturday 15 September.
On Friday 14 and Saturday 15 September six men’s teams will each play four round-robin games ahead of finals on Sunday.
Four of the men’s teams are comprised of representative players from Bathurst Island while Melville Island makes up another team in the carnival.
Similarly to last year, a representative side from the West Arnhem region will be flying over to participate in the carnival thanks to Member for Arafura Lawrence Costa.
The carnival is also supported by the Essendon Football Club, of whom the Tiwi Islands and West Arnhem are a part of their Next Generation Academy region. Essendon officials will be present to observe the players throughout the weekend.
AFLNT Remote Projects Manager, Cassidy Fitzclarence said everyone is keen for the start of their upcoming local football seasons and this carnival is a great way for players and officials to get back into the swing of things both on and off the field.
“It’s fantastic that the Tiwi Islands are hosting this carnival and that a West Arnhem team is included, thanks to their Next Generation Academy partnership with Essendon Football Club, who will have officials present on the day.
“The carnival provides a great opportunity for all the players to dust off their footy skills and get match-fit before of their local seasons in what’s sure to be an exciting weekend of community footy,” he said.