AFL Cape York

01/09/2026

A great wrap up from our Central Cape Crusader Cup Carnival last week in Coen.

🖤💛❤️

Aurukun State School Lockhart State School Pormpuraaw State School Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy, Coen Campus 😁

Budding footy stars from Aurukun have taken home the Central Cape Crusader Cup trophy for 2026 after 64 young players…

01/09/2026

A big shoutout to Matt Mellahn for everything he has contributed to AFL Cape York.

Matt has been a massive part of our Game Development programs, getting out into communities, building relationships with schools and families, and helping provide opportunities for young people across Cape York, Torres Strait & Gulf Savannah.

From spending 6 weeks a term delivering programs across so many different communities, to getting stuck into our Crusaders representative programs, Matt has consistently brought a great attitude, plenty of energy and a genuine commitment to the young people we work with.

What stands out most is the way Matt connects with people. He gets involved, gives things a crack and always puts the young people and communities first.

Thanks for all your hard work, Matt. We appreciate everything you’ve put into AFL Cape York and the impact you continue to have across our communities.

Thanks Matty!

26/08/2026

Central Cape Crusader Cup Carnival Award Winners! 🏆

A huge congratulations to all of our award winners from last week’s Central Cape Crusader Cup Carnival! 👏

🌟 MVP Awards

Georgia from Lockhart River and Reiley from Pormpuraaw were recognised with MVP honours for their outstanding efforts on the field. What a performance! 💪🏽 💪🏽 🔥

🏅 Players of the Day

Congratulations to:

Erica from Coen 🥇
C**t from Pormpuraaw 🥇
Malcolm from Aurukun 🥇
Andrew from Lockhart River 🥇

Each player made a fantastic contribution both on and off the field, showing great skill, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the carnival. 👏

Well done to all our winners, you should be proud! 🎉🏆

Lockhart State School Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Pormpuraaw State School Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy, Coen Campus Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation Aurukun State School Rio Tinto Weipa Western Cape Communities Trust - WCCCA Cape York Weekly

25/08/2026

Some fantastic shots from our Crusader Cup carnival last Friday in Coen! 🏆💙

A huge thank you to all the teachers, families and community members who captured moments throughout the day and shared your photos with us. It was such a special day filled with plenty of smiles, team spirit, friendly competition and community connection.

We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the Crusader Cup such a memorable day.

These photos are a wonderful reminder of the fun, energy and memories we created together! 📸

Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy, Coen Campus Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation Aurukun State School Lockhart State School Pormpuraaw State School Rio Tinto Weipa Western Cape Communities Trust - WCCCA Cape York Weekly

24/08/2026

Last Friday the Central Cape Crusader Cup was held in Coen, with Coen, Lockhart River, Pormpuraaw and Aurukun all battling it out for the glory.

It was Aurukun who got the job done defeating Lockhart River in the Grand Final and taking the trophy back to their community to proudly display. 🏆

A big thank you to Coen State School and their staff for allowing the travelling communities to stay at the school the night before the carnival. It was a great opportunity to go through AFL rules, match awareness and some education around our boarding houses in Cairns.

It was a fantastic day of footy, community and connection, we’re proud to be able to bring everyone together through the game.

Plenty more photos of all teams still to come, including our award winners and match day highlights! 📸🏉

Aurukun State School Rio Tinto Weipa Western Cape Communities Trust - WCCCA Cape York Weekly Queensland Government

15/08/2026

2026 Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup Winners

A huge congratulations to our 2026 Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup winners!

🏆 Chris Johnson Cup – Boys
Tagai State College

🏆 Angie Nadredre Cup – Girls
Richmond Mixed

Congratulations to all players, coaches, staff and supporters who contributed to an incredible carnival. The commitment, sportsmanship and pride shown throughout the event was fantastic to see.

A special thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup possible.

The 2026 Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup is proudly supported by:

Western Cape Communities Trust - WCCCA
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council - NPARC
Rio Tinto Weipa
Peddells Thursday Island Tours
SKS Indigenous Technologies
Queensland Government

Thank you for your continued support of the carnival and the young people of Cape York and the Torres Strait.

15/08/2026

What a way to spend an afternoon!

Last week, we hosted our annual ‘No School, No Play’ Colour Run, BBQ & AFL Kickaround in Bamaga!

It was fantastic to see so many young people from across the five communities of the NPA coming together, getting active and enjoying an afternoon of fun, food and footy.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the afternoon possible, and especially to our amazing supporters:

Western Cape Communities Trust - WCCCA
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council - NPARC
Rio Tinto Weipa
Peddells Thursday Island Tours
SKS Indigenous Technologies

Your continued support helps us create opportunities for young people across the NPA to connect, participate and enjoy being active.

15/08/2026

🏆 CHRIS JOHNSON & ANGIE NADREDRE CUP – MVP AWARDS

As we wrap up another successful Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup carnival, each coach had the difficult task of selecting their team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Congratulations to all of our 2026 MVP recipients:

🏅 Richmond Mixed
Dudley Bond

🏅 Richmond Mixed
Summer Nelson

🏅 Eagles FC MVP
Jessie Ella Mosby

🏅 Bond University MVP
Lenora Matasia-Baira

🏅 Eagles FC MVP
Walter Elu

🏅 Tagai SC MVP
Francis Whap

These young people demonstrated outstanding effort, commitment and leadership throughout the carnival, both on and off the field.

Congratulations to all of our MVPs!

A huge thank you once again to the organisations and businesses whose support helps make the Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup possible:

• Western Cape Communities Trust - WCCCA
• Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council - NPARC
• Rio Tinto Weipa
• Peddells Thursday Island Tours
• SKS Indigenous Technologies
• Queensland Government

Your continued support of young people, community and AFL across Cape York is greatly appreciated.

14/08/2026

2026 Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup Medallists

We are proud to announce our 2026 Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup Medallists!

The Chris Johnson Medal (Boys) and Angie Nadredre Medal (Girls) recognise young people who demonstrate exceptional performance both on and off the field.

Throughout the CJ & AN Cup, both medallists consistently demonstrated the core values of Pride, Responsibility and Respect, setting an outstanding example for their teammates and peers.

🏅 Chris Johnson Medallist – Boys
Tamu Sabatino
Tagai State College

🏅 Angie Nadredre Medallist – Girls
Mistee Sagigi & India Nevill
AFL Cape York House - for Girls

Congratulations to Tamu, Mistee and India on this well-deserved recognition. Your commitment, attitude and leadership throughout the carnival were exceptional.

The 2026 Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup is proudly supported by:

• Western Cape Communities Trust - WCCCA
• Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council - NPARC
• Rio Tinto Weipa
• Peddles Thursday Island Tours
• SKS Indigenous Technologies

A huge thank you to all of our supporters for helping make the CJ & AN Cup possible and continuing to support young people across Cape York and the Torres Strait.

14/08/2026

The Chris Johnson & Angie Nadredre Cup (CJ&AN Cup) is an annual AFL Cape York football carnival held in Bamaga, bringing together young people from across Far North Queensland, Cape York and the Torres Strait.

Named after AFL legend Chris Johnson and respected community leader Angie Nadredre, the CJ & AN Cup is AFL Cape York’s longest-running football carnival.

While football is at the heart of the carnival, the CJ & AN Cup is about so much more than what happens on the field. It uses AFL as a vehicle to:

• Develop young players and identify talented athletes for future representative pathways, academies and Indigenous programs.
• Promote education and positive behaviour through the No School, No Play message.
• Build leadership, confidence and important life skills.
• Strengthen community connections, bringing young people together with family, Country and culture.
• Create positive experiences and memories through activities including the Colour Run, community visits and social events.

At its core, the CJ & AN Cup is about using football to create opportunities — helping young people develop as athletes, students, leaders and community members while celebrating the strength and diversity of Cape York and the Torres Strait.