The Erambie All Blacks proudly represented the Cowra community at this year’s NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout, held at the Riverside Sporting Complex in Tamworth.
The men’s team was the only side entered in 2025, taking the field with strong spirit but falling short in their opening game.
Despite the loss, the team celebrated key moments that reflected both family pride and community connection.
Coach Phil Ingram said the side started slow and couldn’t recover.
“We went down first game,” Ingram said.
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“We started really slow, and then tried to chase them down and you can’t do that in knockout football,” he said.
“A challenge for us was a bit of ball control and we had our chances, but we just couldn’t take them.”
“When they had a chance, they took it and capitalised on it.”
There were still plenty of positives from the weekend.
“Ricky scored our first try and one of the new players, Jordan, scored his first try playing in the Koori Knockout,” Ingram said.
“He was really pleased, and hopefully he’s got the taste for it now and he’ll be back next year.”
The tournament also gave families a chance to share the field together, a special moment for the Erambie All Blacks.
“Myself and my son played together for the second time, and my cousin Paul Coe and his son Bailey Coe played together for the first time in the knockout,” Ingram said.
“That’s what our team’s about, it’s about our family groups coming together and representing Erambie.”
Ingram also expressed gratitude to the sponsors who make the trip possible each year.
“It’s a big ask for a small community like ours to get to the knockout, just to represent where we’re from,” he said.
“Without our sponsors and the people behind us helping out and getting us there, we wouldn’t be able to compete.”
“Every little bit helps, no matter the amount, and it’s very much appreciated by the whole club, especially the players.”
While the result didn’t go their way, the Erambie All Blacks once again embodied the spirit of the Koori Knockout, family, culture and pride in community.
