Bamaga Enterprises Ltd (BEL) sponsored Timacoy Tabuai to attend the CQ Indigenous Reconciliation Rugby League Games in January 2021.

As Bamaga Community Representative, Timacoy played in the Central Queensland team at the games in Rockhampton, which saw selectors for NRL Under 18s in attendance.

Previously, BEL provided sponsorship to support Timacoy with boarding at the NRL Cowboys House, which allowed him firsthand experience training with the Cowboys.

Timacoy’s proud mother, Kitty Tabuai, said she was grateful for the opportunity afforded to their motivated son, who gained valuable skills and exposure to help in his goal to become an NRL football player.

“We as parents would like to thank Bamaga Enterprises very much for its tremendous support for this young boy.”

“Your support has been very helpful in getting his one foot in the door, and also was an eye opener for the management team for his performance over the weekend,” said Ms Tabuai.

Timacoy is currently in year 12 and continuing his education at the Tec-NQ Trade School in Townsville, soon to become an auto marine mechanic. He is heavily involved with the West Lions Football Club and also engages with representative teams from Townsville.

Ms Tabuai says that Timacoy is eager to encourage others to walk in the same path, and he will be back in the NPA later this year to proudly play in local carnivals once more.

BEL continues to sponsor the Torres and Cape Indigenous Futsal Association (TCIFA) to visit the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) in March, April, May and beyond in a drive to encourage children’s participation in the inclusive and energetic sport of futsal. TCIFA aims to establish futsal as a regular activity in the community.

In March, TCIFA’s co-founders Nicky Poipoi and Eugene Orwell ran ‘Come & Try’ sessions across all three NPA State College campuses and an evening session at Umagico Hall with the support of the NPA Regional Council. The evening event attracted around 50 children and adults. Mrs Poipoi and Mr Orwell returned in April to run an afternoon session and a mid-morning session at the Bamaga Junior Campus, which attracted 50 participants over the two days.

“Our March visit to the campuses was a sound success, with participation at the schools close to 100% thanks to the active encouragement of the College’s teachers, and the participants really enjoyed it too,” Mr Orwell said.

“We’d like to thank BEL for its continuing support by way of flights, accommodation, equipment and transport, and the College’s permission to use the Bamaga Junior Campus hall, so that we are able to return and run further futsal activity to increase participation.”

The next futsal event will take place over two afternoons and is scheduled for early May.

To keep up to date on the latest futsal news, you can now follow “Bamaga Futsal Club” on Facebook.

Bamaga Enterprises Ltd (BEL) assisted two promising basketball players from Bamaga to participate in the Indigenous Community Basketball League hosted by Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA) earlier this year.

Leia Elu and Timothy Panuel played in the Under 14s basketball competition run over eight weekends on Thursday Island and BEL provided the ferry fares for their eight return trips ($480 each).

The community tournament provides an opportunity for young people to participate in structured training sessions, develop their basketball skills and promote a healthy lifestyle.

It also showcases their abilities for selection in the IBA National Tournament, an opportunity for aspiring players to progress to other basketball leagues.

Leia and Timothy played outstanding games in the tournament and both were selected to represent the Cape/Torres area to play in the Gold Coast.

BEL also donated $2,400 to the Northern Peninsula Area State College to help five students compete in regional basketball trials held in Cairns in March.

Arnido Matysek, Jewls Mara, Keisha Wapau, Ned Wilson and Zackius Young were accompanied by a teacher on a visit to Cairns, with funding from BEL used to subsidise the cost of transport and accommodation associated with the trip.

Timothy Panuel (left) and Leia Elu (right) featured in the recent Under 14s basketball competition on Thursday Island

U18 Torres Strait Girls

BEL supported 32 students from years 9-12 for the Peninsula Rugby League Trials in Cairns in March.

Northern Peninsula Area State College (NPASC) and Tagai State College students joined forces to form four teams (under 15 and under 18 boys and girls) that represented the sporting district of ‘Torres Strait’.

Students played in a number of games at the grounds of Cairns Brothers Rugby League Football Club. All involved represented the school and the region with an enormous level of pride and passion.

The senior boys team was competitive in all games. Denjon Mooka was a stand out, and was selected in the ‘possible and probable’ team that competed at the end of the carnival. Likewise, the junior boys approached each game with grit and determination.

Zeke Jawai was electric in each of his games, also earning a spot in the ‘possible and probable’ game.

Both of the Torres Strait girls’ teams were a class above their opposition, winning the majority of their games.

NPASC Sports Coordinator, Stuart Jones, was thrilled with the efforts from all students.

Under 18 Torres Strait Boys with the rested #12 jersey

“The NPA had two students selected in the Peninsula Under 15s girls’ team, which is a truly outstanding effort. Marjorie Solomon and Teuisha Wilson were the chosen students with Waisis Yoelu selected as a shadow player,” said Mr Jones.

“The financial support from BEL was very beneficial to our students, and combined with support from the school, families were left with almost no out-of-pocket expenses.

“It was great to see all students give it their all and step out of their comfort zone,” Mr Jones said.

“Being able to go on the trip gave the students the opportunity to participate in a large-scale team carnival that is unavailable in a small community, while also getting to meet and communicate with different coaches, students and officials.

“On behalf of the students, we would like to say a big thank you to BEL for making the experience possible.”

The students await their flight at Bamaga Airport

Year 9 and 10 students from Northern Peninsula Area State College (NPASC) organised and ran their own 3 vs 3 basketball competition last term.

The competition was a school assessment, which required students to develop and organise a community event. In addition to managing the competition draw, rules, and job allocation for the event, the students also approached a number of businesses for prizes and sponsorship, including BEL.

BEL agreed to donate three sets of music headphones, valued at a total of $150.

The event itself was a great success, with fifteen teams from Years 7 to 12 competing across two Friday afternoons for the lion’s share of the prizes. Both the Junior and Senior competitions were tough, however by 2 pm on the second Friday afternoon, the cream had well and truly risen to the top.

Zeke Jawai and Ned Ropeyarn – as a pair – emerged as winners in the Junior competition after defeating worthy opponents in Leia Elu, Jeanstarr Atu and Rebekah Nona. Maco Williams, Paul Williams and Harold Pascoe won the Senior finale in a thrilling match against Moa Wasiu, Willan Aniba and Rangi Salee.

Both afternoons were very entertaining, with exceptional basketball skills and sportsmanship on display from all students involved. Individual prizes and awards were given to the following students for their outstanding performances and efforts during the competition:

Junior male MVP: Zeke Jawai

Junior female MVP: Leia Elu

Senior female MVP: Kyra Bowie

Senior male MVP: Maco Williams

Best and Fairest: Marjorie Solomon

Competition MVP: Willan Aniba