Clontarf academy members travelled to Fitzroy Crossing for the annual Kimberley State of Origin Carnival, joining several days of sport, camping and time together in one of Western Australia’s most striking regional settings.
The carnival brought together academy members from Broome, Derby, East Kimberley (Kununurra), Hedland (Port Hedland), St Mary’s (Broome) and Fitzroy (Fitzroy Crossing) academies, giving the boys a chance to test themselves on the football field and spend time with peers from other towns.
For the Broome group, the trip began with a long drive to the RAAF Boab Quarry site at the foot of the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, where they set up camp for the days ahead. The boys quickly settled in with a swim to cool off before collecting firewood and gathering around the campfire for a night of laughs and stories.
The following morning, the academies headed into Fitzroy Crossing for a full day of football. The carnival provided plenty of strong competition, with boys from each academy showing effort, resilience and teamwork throughout the day. It also gave participants the chance to showcase their football ability in front of selectors, with strong performers given the opportunity to earn selection in a state team later in the year.
Back at camp, the boys enjoyed another evening together with a barbecue dinner, a swim in the crystal clear water and more time around the campfire. With no phone reception, the boys embraced the opportunity to switch off, spend time together and make the most of the setting before packing up early the next morning and heading home.
For many of the boys, the memories will be as much about the campfire, the swim and the long bus trip as the footy itself.
