THE Koori Rugby League Knockout has been memorialised with a blue plaque in Sydney’s inner west, to celebrate the grassroots sporting competition.

The plaque was unveiled on Friday at the first Koori Knockout venue, Camdenville Park, St Peters, to recognise what is considered one of the biggest annual gatherings of Aboriginal people in Australia. More than 40,000 spectators attend each year.

The Koori Knockout, to be held this year at Tamworth, was formed by six young Indigenous men at Redfern’s Clifton Hotel, who wanted an opportunity to showcase Aboriginal sporting talent that had been overlooked by scouts. The founders – Victor Wright, Bob Smith, Bob Morgan, Bill Kennedy, Danny Rose and the late George Jackson – envisioned an event that was more than just a platform for football, but also a gathering of family, community and cultural pride.

The first Koori Knockout at Camdenville Park in 1971 brought together seven teams from across NSW: Koorie United, Redfern All Blacks, Kempsey, La Perouse United, Walgett, Moree  and a combined Mt Druitt-South Coast side.

It was a resounding success – won by La Perouse United –  and set the foundation for what has now become one of Australia’s most significant indigenous events.

The blue plaque recognising the knock-out’s importance to the state’s heritage has been incorporated into the renovations of Camdenville Park.

Aboriginal community members who were there for the tournament’s conception, flew into Sydney from around Australia to attend the unveiling of the blue plaque, to remember why the competition was started and celebrate what it has become.

The Koori Knockout continues to serve as a vibrant celebration of Aboriginal heritage, drawing together communities from across the state to compete, connect and celebrate their shared culture.

The popular Blue Plaque NSW program places round, blue plaques at sites across New South Wales to recognise and share the stories of individuals or moments in history.

Bob Morgan, Uncle George Jackson, Uncle Victor Wright, Uncle Danny Rose and Uncle Bill Kennedy with the Blue Plaque at Camdenville Oval (Image courtesy of Redfern All Blacks Rugby League Football Club).

The installation of each new plaque brings added interest to the heritage of an area, encouraging locals to explore their backyards, and inviting those from further afield to learn more about the unique history of these communities.

Minister for Heritage, Penny Sharpe, said the Blue Plaque is more than a tribute to a game of footy.

“It’s a celebration of the deep cultural connections, identity and resilience of Aboriginal communities across NSW. The Koori Knockout is a living celebration and it’s great to see it formally recognised today,” she said.

“The Koori Knockout is a proud legacy of Aboriginal leadership, determination and community spirit. It began as a grassroots initiative and has grown into one of the most significant cultural gatherings in the country. This plaque rightly honours that history.”

The 2025 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout will be held at the Riverside Sporting Complex, Tamworth on October 3-6.

The precinct will feature five quality playing fields with ample parking with short distance to the entry point.

The knockout has grown to be one of the largest Indigenous sporting events in the world.

In 2024, the tournament featured 138 teams, including current and former NRL and NRLW stars, showcasing the immense talent and passion within First Nations communities.

The event attracted a 30,000-strong live audience and reached 500,000 viewers through television broadcasts, underlining its importance to the wider Australian public.