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“Once a Kooka Always A Kooka”

The Canley Vale Kookas have embraced their community like a family for 58 years. This small club from the southern region of the Parramatta Junior Rugby League punch above their weight on the field, and provide a vital support network off it.

Back in 2016, The Cumberland Throw watched the Kookas under 14 team upset Cabramatta in a qualifying final, then push Rouse Hill Rhinos in a gripping grand final at Parramatta Stadium. Both of those opponents contained players who are now NRL pathways players at the Eels and other clubs.

I highlighted those performances because they epitomised the passion that Canley Vale’s players have for their club. This week, The Cumberland Throw spoke with Kookas’ secretary Natalie Fa’Auiga E’e to find out more about this family orientated club.

The Kookas are based at Adam’s Park at Canley Vale. It’s referred to as their nest! They look to cater for players from under 6 to under 18, and in 2021 they fielded seven teams across these age groups, including an under 14 girls team.

Natalie stressed the importance of girls rugby league, not just to the Kookas but to the code as a whole. In addition to their girls team, every Kookas team up to the under 12s contains 4-5 girls.

“The pathways opening up is great but there’s more that needs to be done…To hear ten and eleven year old girls say that they want to be a rugby league player when they grow up – for me I see them as the future of the sport…This is giving the girls an opportunity to believe in a dream that years ago the girls wouldn’t be thinking.”

A visit to the Kookas’ Facebook page quickly underlines their family ethos.

Communications begin with “Hi Kookas family” and there’s a genuine focus on positive messaging. When questioned about their community, Natalie explained that they welcome everybody, with the goal of creating a safe place for kids to engage in positive activities.

“Being a small club, it means that everybody gets to know everybody. And word of mouth then means that others want to become involved.”

By fostering this family vibe, people like to help out however they can, donating their time, equipment, or food.

Natalie credits her own involvement and passion to the example set by her predecessor Maree Tohi. In fact, the entire Tohi family remain a massive part of the club in coaching, training and mentoring. Caleb (Kelepi) Tohi gives back to the club he started at and is an inspiration to the next generation as he continues his journey with the Eels, whilst Siosaia Tohi is now coaching his grandchild’s team.

Furthermore, there’s even a history of community involvement from people who don’t have children or grandchildren playing for the Kookas.

No shortage of personalities in this team!

Natalie provided the example of Albert Strohmayer who was club president for 18 years despite having no family involvement. His widow, Emma, continues to volunteer as the club auditor, a role she has filled for over 20 years. Current president, Bradley Patrick, upholds the tradition by serving the Kookas long after his children stopped playing.

It’s also evident that the Kookas truly value being part of the broader Parramatta Junior Rugby League community. We questioned Natalie about the Kookas social media messages on behalf of other clubs and her answer exemplified an extension of that family ethos.

“Without Parramatta, without the other clubs, we don’t have a competition. We have to stick together because it’s our district. If any clubs lose players, we are all losing players.”

Making ends meet is not easy for any junior club. For the Kookas, being a small club means it’s a bit more of a challenge. The club relies on their annual grant from Parramatta Leagues Club, income from the canteen and team fund raising activities.

However, unlike some junior clubs who can boast tiers of partners, the Canley Vale Kookas have no major sponsor. Instead, they have individual sponsors of their age teams, and to that end wish to thank Starr Partners – Tom Murphy, Lansvale United Sports Club, Lencon, Axellent Engineering, Sportsmagic, Carlos Towing Services, Neverstop Water, Amazing Pool Renovations and McDonalds for their generosity.

Over the last two years, the annual financial battle was made that much tougher by the Covid pandemic. The Kookas made the uncomfortable, yet fiscally responsible decision to not participate in 2020 when community sport resumed.

It proved to be the correct call when they were able to field teams in 2021, but when the lockdown prematurely ended this season’s competition, the club missed out on scheduled home matches and projected canteen income.

Yet, despite all of the challenges, Natalie found the positive from the Kookas family, “we are like a well oiled machine, we all roll together.”

When quizzed further about how difficult the last two years have been for the Kookas, Natalie’s focus immediately turned to the kids who have been missing their footy, and each other’s company, all whilst facing the growing issue of mental health.

Football clubs such as the Kookas have a role to play in guiding young people through adversities and criticisms to see that it’s possible to find positives – and junior clubs are more than just a football team, they are made up of caring people who are there to talk to.

“Often times kids just need someone to listen to them and it can be like a weight lifted off their shoulders.”

Sometimes that person might be a coach, a manager, a trainer. It doesn’t matter who, as long as the person is genuinely listening, which is something that the Kookas pride themselves in doing.

From The Cumberland Throw’s perspective, we think it would be brilliant for a family focussed club like the Canley Vale Kookas to launch into the 2022 season with a major club sponsor, and a list of associate sponsors. The club has been around for 58 years because there’s something special about it.

If anyone wants to be involved, as a player, a coach, a volunteer, or even better as a sponsor, you can contact the Kookas via their Facebook page.

Alternatively, you can contact Natalie by phone on 0497 701 438 or by emailing kookassec@hotmail.com

Remember, “once a Kooka always a Kooka”.

Our full chat with Natalie will be available in this week’s episode of The Tip Sheet.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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