The annual APS NAIDOC Touch Football Competition turns ten

Around 300 people attended the touch football fields in Deakin, ACT for the 2012 Australian Public Service NAIDOC Week Touch Football Competition. The competition, which is now in its tenth year, is sponsored by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), in partnership with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and Touch Football ACT.

The competition has become a key celebratory event for NAIDOC week in Canberra, promoting understanding and respect amongst Indigenous and non-Indigenous Commonwealth Government employees.

Many Australian Government agencies have a proud history participating in the competition as part of the annual NAIDOC week celebrations to acknowledge the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The competition is designed to carry the message of NAIDOC Week to people in the public service in a unique way by raising awareness through sport. This year staff from 23 Government agencies took part in the event.

While the carnival kicked off with the temperatures below zero, by midday it was a beautiful sunny day with perfect conditions for players and spectators. The Australian Sports Commission claimed victory (4-1) in the final against the Department of Health and Ageing and take ownership of the perpetual trophy from last year’s winners the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.