World Footy News

Last year World Footy News posted an article concerning the history and future of the Wadeye Magic football team in the Northern Territory (see The True Magic of Wadeye). The following press release from AFLNT looks at the Magic’s inaugural season in the Tiwi Islands Football League and their success in reaching the 2013/4 season finals.

Wadeye Magic book place in T.I.F.L finals series in inaugural season as final round shaped finals fixture

In their inaugural season, the Wadeye Magic have booked their place in the Tiwi Islands Football League Finals Series after a gripping win in the final round against the Tuyu Buffaloes.

A dramatic final round of T.I.F.L action reshaped the top five with Imalu taking top spot, overtaking Mulluwirriri and Tuyu.  The Magic leapt Ranku to take fourth as the 2014 T.I.F.L final series gets underway this weekend with Muluwurri playing Tuyu on Sat 22nd and Wadeye Magic taking on Ranku on Sun 23rd.

Wadeye Regional Development Manager and Magic Coach Craig Kimberley is both excited and confident heading into their first finals series.

“The win against Tuyu was possibly our best for the season as I rate Tuyu very highly, the most pleasing aspect of the game was after controlling the first half we were able to withstand a spirited comeback from the opposition and go on to post a credible victory, which ultimately has sealed our place in the finals.”

Tiwi Islands Regional Development Manager, Ian Brown is also very excited about the upcoming TIFL finals and with the inclusion of the Magic it adds something extra to the series.

 “We have an even spread of finals participants with two teams each from Bathurst and Melville Islands along with the Wadeye Magic, a first for the TIFL. 

“The competition has been extremely even this season, which indicates that any of the five teams could make it through to the grand final on March 16 which promises to be a big day."

Both regions agreed having Magic in the league has strengthened both the competition and the relationship between the two remote communities.

A game against Tuyu game last Thursday formed part of a three day leadership camp on Tiwi for the Magic players which saw them visit Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic School.

Principal Daniel Graves was amazed at the player’s wiliness to get involved, the engagement of his students and the overall success of the initiative.

“Having Wadeye Magic at our school gave our students and staffs the opportunity to train, play and connect with other remote communities. Judging from the smiles and laughter it was hard to tell who was having the most fun - our students or the Magic players.  It was fantastic to see the leadership of the Tiwi and Wadeye group working together to have fun and promote positive behaviour, football and health.”

The Magic program requires all players to undergo health checks, be employed or engaged in some form training or development. The school visit formed part of a greater development for the group aimed at putting them through a level one coaching course.