Moree hosted Academies from Dalby, Dubbo, Goondiwindi, Toowoomba, Inverell, Kingaroy, Murgon, Tamworth, Quirindi and Warwick for a full day of nines action at Burt Jovanovich Oval.

The day kicked off with an official opening at 8.30am, followed by a group warm-up session before the first games got underway at 9.30am.

The nine-a-side carnival was played in four pools of three, with each team playing at least five games.

Each game was 20 minutes, with nine-minute halves.

Moree Clontarf Academy director Eric Faulkner said it was a great day.

“It was all played in good, high spirit,” he said.

Oxley and Dalby took out top honours for the day, drawing in the first division grand final, while Inverell won the second division shield.

Moree won each of their five pool games, but lost in the semi-final to overall winners, Oxley.

“We don’t play for the win, everyone just has a good time and is always in high spirits,” Mr Faulkner said.

As well as division one and two shields, each team handed out Clontarf spirit awards for those players who might not have been best and fairest, but gave it their all.

“It’s for someone who shows the best spirit, tries their hardest and helps out on the whole trip,” Mr Faulkner said.

The Border Challenge will provide a warm-up to NSW’s main carnival for the year – the annual Ross Kelly Cup, which will see the NSW teams compete in the mid-year.

It is hoped that the Border Challenge will become an annual event on the Clontarf calendar.

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate meaningfully in society.

Moree Clontarf has been running for six years now, and in that time it has improved school attendance numbers for indigenous boys in years seven to 12 from 30 per cent to 75 per cent.