WITH PATRICK STAVELEY
Dorward takes out NAIDOC Sportsperson of 2021
The award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Person of the Year has gone to Blacktown resident , Todd Dorward , at Blacktown City Council ’ s 2021 NAIDOC Awards ceremony .
A proud Darug and Kullilli man , Dorward has been awarded this honour for his outstanding achievements in disability sports .
“ It was great , I feel pretty good about it ,” Dorward says .
“ At first I couldn ’ t really believe it . I felt humbled and happy at the same time and very proud as well .”
The 47 year old is visually and hearing impaired but throughout his whole life he hasn ’ t let these become obstacles to doing what he loves most – playing sport .
Todd has sporting talents across a number of sports such as rugby league , cricket , swimming and futsal . In rugby league , the passionate Parramatta Eels fan has represented the likes of the Newtown Jets , Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney
Roosters in the NSW Physical Disability Rugby League competition .
Amongst some of his greatest rugby league achievements , he has represented the City and Indigenous teams in PDRL , while in 2018 he represented Australia against NZPDRL .
Dorward has also spent 31 years plying his trade in blind cricket through Blind Cricket NSW . He played his first representative game in blind cricket for NSW in 2001 in the Australian Blind Cricket Championships which is held every two years .
He has played in eight of these championships , while he also played in the All Abilities Championships in 2015 for ACT . Meanwhile , in futsal , Todd has previously been awarded the Goalkeeper of the Year award at Football NSW ’ s Futsal Gala Dinner in 2019 . He also had the opportunity to captain Australia ’ s disability futsal team against New Zealand .
The Blacktown resident has had a
tough couple of years due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and being unable to play sport regularly as a result . Perhaps his toughest challenge was when he was cooped up in his apartment block for two straight weeks in quarantine following a few cases from fellow tenants earlier this year .
Outside of sport , Dorward has plenty of other interests – he is a volunteer for Red Cross and he also enjoys painting some exceptional Aboriginal artwork such as the helmets and stumps for the Sydney Thunder Indigenous cricket team . Having lived all his life with disability , Todd always likes to pass on some valuable advice to others to chase their dream , no matter what .
“ Always do your best and never give up trying . Always say “ I can ” and never say “ I cannot .” Give everything a go , put your mind to it and you ’ ll get there .
Proud sportsman : Todd Dorward received his award from Mayor Tony Bleasdale .
Whether you ’ re disabled or not , always give it a go no matter how hard it is .”
Blacktown FC bows out of 2021 season
with Bob Turner Blacktown City FC Executive Chairman
Unfortunately this year , history did not repeat itself for Blacktown City FC . Despite putting up a dogged performance after only four weeks of training it wasn ’ t enough , bowing out of the Round of 32 FFA Cup competition with a 1-0 loss to A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners on Saturday in Mudgee .
Played at Glen Willow Stadium , Blacktown City fought hard but were unable to contest with a hungry Mariners outfit who ended up coming home with the victory thanks to a goal from debutant
Béni Nkololo . In the wet and windy wine region , Mariners head coach , Nick Montgomery , named a strong starting line-up that included a start at centre-back for Lewis Miller , as well as a competitive debut for 18-year-old Jacob Farrell .
City fielded a strong line-up minus new recruit , Mitch Mallia , who was ruled out with injury . Crittenden gave starting opportunities to Ben Berry and Nicholas O ’ Brien while Jordan Smylie made his debut for his new club where he faced his old teammates .
Through the opening minutes the Mariners dominated much of the play and created many chances .
Miller , who recently returned from Australian U23 duty , had an early claim for a penalty waved away by referee Kurt Ams when he was brought down in the box by
Blacktown City FC National Premier Leagues NSW men ’ s outfit were gallant in defeat . Picture : Football NSW .
ex-Mariners player , Jordan Smylie .
No penalty was awarded . However , moments later , Nkololo continued to be industrious down the left wing and set up Marco Ureña for a chance before Matt Simon had a shot strongly palmed away by Tristan Prendergast in the City net .
It would not be Prendergast ’ s last act however as he made a fantastic save later in the half to deny an Ollie Bozanic through on goal , with a strong 1-on-1 save . As the wind picked up , both teams headed for the heat of the changing rooms and in the second half , Nick Montgomery ’ s men enjoyed possession of the ball and continued to dominate the match .
Ollie Bozanic was foiled not once but twice more by Prendergast who was beginning to output a man of the match performance in goal after clawing out two identical freekicks that were destined for the top corner .
In the 76th minute , the deadlock was finally broken . However , as Béni Nkololo was put through on goal and struck the ball past the City keeper to the immediate delight of the travelling Yellow
Army who embraced the Frenchman behind the goal . A new fan favourite who ’ s name continued to be sung through the remaining minutes as the Mariners continued to create more chances with debutant Moresche going close as well as Nkololo for his second . The team from the Central Coast held on however , to run out 1-0 winners .
Progression was the aim of the afternoon and having achieved that , the Mariners will now turn their attention to the start of the Isuzu UTE A-League season in the F3 Derby . For highlights from the Ten Play coverage , click www . youtube . com / watch ? v = 2qAFFXnTUM8 .
Blacktown City FC now take a one week break before getting back to training in preparation for the 2022 NSW NPL 1 Men ’ s Competition . The young team showed plenty of talent and character in Mudgee that has head coach , Mark Crittenden , excited at the prospects for the coming season .
Plenty to do for next season now that we have taken over our ground . We look to your continued support as we drive towards our goal to be the number one profiled sports team in the city .
Go Blacktown City !
BLACKTOWN NEVER BACKDOWN
www . bcfc . com . au YOUR TOWN , YOUR TEAM .
Est . 1953
32 ISSUE 09 // DECEMBER 2021 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT