While local winter sport seasons wrap up as the weather warms, hundreds of young Indigenous players from across Victoria have run out onto the field and courts representing their mob and communities.
VACSAL (Victoria Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited) hosted its statewide junior football and netball carnival on Yorta Yorta Country this week.
Teams came from all over the state to play from age nine-and-under, to 17-and-under at Shepparton's Rumbalara Football Netball Club.
The carnival has been running since 2008.
VACSAL, in addition to delivering youth, employment, homelessness, justice and other programs and services across the state, organises major community-based sporting events throughout the year.
"Our carnivals are all about community connection and about giving our kids the opportunity to come together, to play in a culturally safe environment, to meet up with family and cousins from all over the state," VACSAL chief executive Linda Bamblett told National Indigenous Times.
While some are showcasing their talent, many younger participants are getting an introduction into the sports.
There's a pride and opportunity to connect with their identity, Ms Bamblett said, with plenty playing for their nations and language groups no matter where they've grown up.
"The other thing is, an opportunity for them to showcase and just enjoy being like good footballers, good netballers, good sports people," Ms Bamblett added.
VACSAL is the sole Aboriginal state government registered sport and active recreation body.
The Aboriginal Basketball Classic senior and junior carnival ran in Mildura in March.
Next weekend, crowds will flock to Portarlington for the senior football and netball carnival, before a female football and male netball gathering later in the year.
Families from all parts of the state jumped in the car to be there.
"It's very welcoming…it's a lot of fun," netball teammates Nuhlira and Lval said, "it's good to get out, have a laugh and play".
Anthony, playing footy for West Vic Eels, said he's meeting new people, making new friends, and discovering new family connections.
He's been playing at carnivals with cousins since he was five years old, he added.
"It's good. Loving. Everyone is supportive, everyone's nice. We always shake hands after the game and we always get photos," he said.
The carnival operates on a pool system with teams qualifying for semis and finals for the chance to take home bragging rights.
For Ms Bamblett, its an "incredibly important" event as one piece of empowering the next generation.
Established in 1984, VACSAL delivers a list of programs for young people, in addition to services for adults and providing advice to government.
"If you can give our young people something to hang their coat on - healthy lifestyle, discipline through their participating in teams, they're the things that are important that we want to transfer into their everyday life," Ms Bamblett said.
"We have to give them tools to be strong in themselves, which is around their cultural identity.
"If they're strong in you they are, then they'll grow up to be strong adults."
