The first ever Katherine and Darwin Gifts will be held at the Katherine Showgrounds of Friday 17 January and Darwin Gift on Sunday 19 January at PSC BM Oval.
The success of a growing athletics program geared towards Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders will see the event open to the communities of the Northern Territory with the Winners of the Indigenous races for both the male and female races winning two trips to Victoria for both the Parkdale and Stawell Gifts.
An open all comers event for athletes aged 14 years and above see them race some of Northern Territory finest.
The program commenced with Tim Mason joining forces with Western Australia and two time Olympian and former Stawell Gift Winner Dean Capobianco. This is the first time the event has been held in NT and builds on the Kimberly Gift in Western Australia that has been conducted for the past two years.
The Objectives of the program are:
- Use running carnival calendars as the vehicle to identify potential sporting talent in Indigenous communities
- Expose organisations across sports, education, business and government to emerging Indigenous talent
- Engage communities to support the aspirations of young Indigenous Australians
- Provide young Indigenous Australians with opportunities to build pathways to success for themselves and future generations
Races
1. Killara Gifts 100m for Indigenous Men 14 years and over plus $500 total and sash
2. Killara Gifts Gift 100m for Indigenous Women 14 Years and over plus $500 total and sash
3. Killara all comers Invitation 100m Hcp $500 total plus sash. Open to anyone in the NT14 years plus`
Winners of the Killara Gifts Gift for Men and Women will receive return airfares and accommodation to compete in both the Parkdale Gift and Stawell Gift (Victoria) valued at over $2,000 each.
