VACSAL (Victoria Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited) hosted its statewide Junior Football and Netball Carnival on Yorta Yorta Country over the holidays.

Teams came from all over the state to play from Under 9s through to Under 17s at Shepperton's Rumbalara Football Netball Club. The carnival has been running since 2008.

Parade had quite a few players representing their family and heritage with Marley Stewart Year 11 T10A and Narrun Williams Year 12 L10A for Warma Turtles, RJ Bamblett Year 11 H10A for Wurundjeri Brothers, Lachlan Wendt Year 7 L18 for Southern Storm and, playing in their first ever carnival, Koby Parker Year 7 H13 and Nate Moloney Year 7 L16 (pictured) for Fitzroy Stars.

Well done to the boys who made the effort, particularly the Year 7s who went up against much older students in the Under 15s. The VACSAL Junior Football and Netball Carnival is an annual event with thousands of players and families representing their communities.