More than 200 athletes descend on Jabiru for Kurrung Sports Carnival
More than 200 athletes from remote communities across the Top End descended on Jabiru for two action-packed days of sport at the 2026 Kurrung Sports Carnival.
Hosted by West Arnhem Regional Council on 28 and 29 August, the carnival brought together teams from Minjilang, Maningrida, Gunbalanya, Warruwi, Kakadu and Numbulwar for men’s and women’s basketball and AFL.
The action kicked off on Friday with basketball at the Jabiru Courts, where the Numbulwar Green Ants claimed the women’s title over Warruwi Storm, while the Jabiru Bombers defeated the Minjilang Eagles to take out the men’s competition.
On Saturday, the carnival moved to Brockman Oval, where the Jabiru Bombers secured back-to-back men’s AFL titles after a hard-fought grand final against Warruwi Storm. A women’s AFL showcase match was also held during the day with the Jabiru Bombers winning over the Arnhem Land Wildfires.
Warruwi was recognised for its contribution beyond the scoreboard, taking home the Spirit of Kurrung Cup for demonstrating respect, fair play and community spirit throughout the carnival.
Mayor James Woods said the carnival highlighted the important role sport plays in bringing West Arnhem communities together.
“Kurrung brings our communities together through sport. It gives our athletes the chance to compete, showcase their talent and proudly represent their families and communities,” Mayor Woods said.
“For many of our 200 athletes, Kurrung may be the only major sporting carnival they get to compete in all year, so having that opportunity here in our region is incredibly important.
“But Kurrung is bigger than sport. It gives families from across the region a chance to reconnect, support their athletes and celebrate their communities.
“Sport creates connections that reach well beyond the court or the footy field. These communities share friendships, memories and triumphs, and events like Kurrung strengthen those connections across our whole region.”
The Kurrung Sports Carnival is one of the region’s biggest events, bringing remote communities together through sport and providing athletes with the opportunity to proudly represent their communities.
The carnival coincided with the Mahbilil Festival, creating a huge weekend of sport, culture, music and community in Jabiru.
Kurrung is a local Aboriginal word for the season when the afternoon breeze, mahbilil, rises, and magpie geese fly in huge numbers across the wetlands to lay their eggs.
Carnival Results
Women’s Basketball MVP: Thadeus Allan – Numbulwar Green Ants
Men’s Basketball MVP: Ryan – Jabiru Bombers
Women's Basketball Runner’s Up: Warruwi Storm
Women’s Basketball Winners: Numbulwar Green Ants
Men’s Basketball Runner’s Up: Minjilang Eagles
Men's Basketball Winners: Jabiru Bombers
Women’s AFL Runners Up: Arnhem Land Wildfires
Women’s AFL Winners: Jabiru Bombers
Men’s AFL Runner’s Up: Warruwi Storm
Men's Basketball Winners: Jabiru Bombers
Spirit of Kurrung Cup: Warruwi Storm