Koori Knockout: Indigenous Australia's festival of rugby league – in pictures
More than 30,000 people and 120 teams – including current NRL players – converge for four days of rugby league in the annual Koori Knockout competition at Leichhardt oval in Sydney. Guardian Australia photographer Mike Bowers goes along to capture the festivities
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The Koori Knockout features youth teams from around the country, as well as a senior competition in which amateurs can find themselves pitted against current NRL players including the Sydney Roosters’ Latrell Mitchell (playing for the Taree Biripi Sharks), Melbourne Storm’s Josh Addo-Carr (playing for the Redfern All Blacks) and the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Cody Walker (playing for the Bundjalung Baygal Warriors). Pictured is the under-15 grand final between the Kempsey Sharks and Kirinari Brothers United. Kirinari won 24-0.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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In the grand final of the women’s competition, the Redfern All Blacks beat the Red Belly Blacks 24-4.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Amber Jackson from the Red Belly Blacks looks on after sustaining a cut to the head.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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In their semi-final, the Redfern All Blacks beat the Gular Giddyurais 32-0.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Rowena Welsh-Jarrett unloads the ball to Latai Simon from the Redfern All Blacks in the game against the Gular Giddyurais.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Spectators on the hill at Leichhardt oval.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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A spectators shields himself from the sun.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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South Taree/Taree Biripi under-12s sing their team song after winning their grand final 34-18 against Kempsey United.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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A player from Cabbage Tree Island looks on as another game is under way.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Josh Addo-Carr is tackled during a breakaway.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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The Cabbage Tree Island bench watch as their side go down 30-10 to the Redfern All Blacks 1 team.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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The teams wait in the tunnel before the men’s grand final between Redfern All Blacks 1 and the Newcastle All Blacks.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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The federal member for Barton, Linda Burney, addresses the crowd before the men’s grand final, praising how culture, family and community come together in rugby league. ‘It’s my favourite time and nothing makes me prouder.’
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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The Newcastle All Blacks huddle before the start of the clash.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Redfern’s Rick Lyons makes a lung-busting break.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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An injured Redfern player is helped from the field.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Ben Harry of Redfern watches his side.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Redfern emerge victorious from the final, winning 42-12.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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Post-match celebrations with the family.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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A tattoo on the leg of one of the players acknowledging his Indigenous ancestry.
Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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