Rirratjingu FOOTBALL PROGRAM
Rirratjingu Football Program
The Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation uses Australian Football to provide sporting opportunities and pathways for local Yolŋu. For those committed, their journey can lead from the local competition into the Darwin Buffalos and potentially the AFL.
The Rirratjingu Football Program, based in Yirrkala, offers participants the chance to play football year-round. This includes the Djarrak Football Club in Yirrkala and the Darwin Buffaloes Football Club, which competes in the Northern Territory Football League.
The Football Program has the two key pillars which it strives to fulfil
Better People Make Better Players ensures that a major focus goes towards the make-up of the person before talent. Healthy behaviours, including work attendance or school attendance, are strongly encouraged and a major selection tool for games in Yirrkala. They also impact the chance to travel to Darwin in the NTFL season.
Building Our Legacy provides an onus on the current group to be good ancestors of the club, thus leaving it in a better place for those who follow. Today’s players are essentially caretakers of the Djarrak guernsey and strive to elevate what it holds special for the players and supporters.
Yirrkala Football History
Rirratjingu Football program is centred around the Djarrak football club. The Program commenced in 2015 with significant financial support from RAC.
The financial support from RAC provided resources for professional coaching, playing uniforms and flights to Darwin where some players had the opportunity to be a part of the Darwin Buffaloes. This early sponsorship, including three years as platinum sponsor for the Buffaloes, was an important investment in building the Football Program in the early years.
The inclusion of new young men training and attending school under the team’s policy of ‘no school – no game’ was a strong motivator for the younger ones joining the team. Our theme that “Active people learn better” has supported our partnership with the school and learning outcomes for younger players.
The Football Program has become an iconic part of the Yirrkala community landscape attracting local spectators and contributing to a sense of community. RAC has continued to sponsor the Program and to emphasise participation is not just about winning, but importantly about helping build a stronger, healthier, happier and safer community.
A Successful Formula
In recent years both the men and women’s teams have enjoyed success on the playing field. Both teams have featured in the finals over the years, and both have enjoyed the ultimate prize in winning their respective grand finals.
The women’s team created history in 2017 securing their first Gove AFLW Premiership. Team Captain, 14-year-old Kaya Mununggurr hoisted the premiership cup at match eve much to the support of the Djarrak faithful.
The men’s team has also tasted success and recently secured the clubs 7th Gove AFL premiership in 2017.
While it is wonderful to perform well and win games and finals, the Football Program includes other measures of success. The off the field outcomes are equally important and positively impact students attending school or a player getting employment and providing for their families. These are wins also worth celebrating.
A Source of Community Pride
The Rirratjingu Football Program has been a source of pride for the Rirratjingu clan since its beginning in 2015. It began as a pathway for Yirrkala based players from Djarrak Football Club to play and experience football in the Northern Territory Football League through the clubs connection with the Darwin Buffaloes Football Club.
Now, in 2025, almost 10 years on from its commencement, the program can reflect on its success in using football as a vehicle for positive social change for its members and the wider community. The ‘Better People Make Better Players’ approach has helped players understand that being the best version of themselves not only improves their skills on the field but also makes them better members of their club, family and community.
Since sport is results-driven, the Program has established key measures to show that participation is about more than just winning. It has also expanded beyond on-field activities by hosting social events and promoting behaviours that positively impact family life in Yirrkala.
With direction from the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, the program seeks to:
- Address alcohol consumption through education and removing alcohol from club functions
- Improve the number of players holding down employment
- Improve the number of players attending school
- Educate the playing group on the effects of domestic and family violence and to create a safe environment for all club members, and
- Prepare good people to take up the opportunity to attend NTFL programs in Darwin
Over the years, the Football Program has emphasised the importance of team and club culture by focusing on being ‘Better People’. Both the men’s and women’s teams have demonstrated a positive culture that aligns with the Programs objectives.
A feature for both teams has been the diversity across the playing groups from age through race and clan.
Connect with Us
If you’re interested in learning more about Djarrak Football Club, please contact our Community and Culture team or follow the Club’s Facebook page.
