NSW Police officers have joined forces with school students from across Lake Illawarra for the annual Gunji Origin Reconciliation Cup today.
Launched in 2022, the Gunji Origin Reconciliation Cup aims to bring the community together and help close the gap between the Indigenous community and non-indigenous community and police.
The Cup will see around 90 school students competing against police officers in a mixed Oztag competition at Myimbarr Community Park, Shellharbour.
Students in Years 7 to 10 from Oak Flats, Warilla, Lake Illawarra, Dapto, and Albion Park High Schools, along with children from the Lake Illawarra PCYC, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District and the local community will compete for bragging rights.
'Gunji' is short for the First Nations word 'Gunjibal', which was used in replacement of constable.
Officers from POLAir will deliver the trophy, with assistance from Lake Illawarra Commander, Superintendent Craig Ireland and Lake Illawarra Police District Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, Glen Sutherland before the games begin.
Lake Illawarra Police District Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, Glen Sutherland created the event, with the aim of bringing communities together through sport.
"The event is a great opportunity to come together on Dharawal Country Land and be active, while also breaking down any barriers that exist between the community and police, particularly the Indigenous communities," Glen said.
"We have seen incredible success in the previous years, with students seeing police officers in a different light and building relationships in a more relaxed environment.
"They now feel more comfortable to reach out if they need police and the benefits go well beyond the field, with spectators turning up throughout the day to cheer on their friends and family and engage with local police."
The Gunji Origin Reconciliation Cup will run throughout the day.
