The Biripi Dophins have won the 2018 Elders Olympics held in Inverell in April 11 and 12.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The victory ensures the sporting and cultural event for Indigenous Elders aged 50 years and over will now be hosted in Port Macquarie in 2019.
Organiser Reta Latimore said the win - a first for the local contingent - was built on a team effort.
"It was really exciting to see all the team members help claim the victory," Ms Latimore said.
"Every single member of our team - 15 members in total, although each competition requires teams of 10 - received a medal as the overall winners.
"Our new first time performers, Cindy O'Brien and Joanne O'Brien, led the way for our team while we also boasted seven members of the one family too.
"There are eight individual disciplines which forms the Elders Olympics and our team performed well right across the board.
"As well, there are competitions for the best banner and other things like that," she said.
The games include, quoits, shooting hoops, bean-bag throwing, pass the footy, hockeystick relay, sorftball toss, walking relay and egg and baton relay.
While the emphasis of the games is clearly on getting out and getting fit, Mrs Latimore said there were many other benefits to the annual event.
It's called a modern day corroboree and every single games held will see family and friends catch up with each other or celebrate new friendships.
- Reta Latimore
"It's called a modern day corroboree and every single games held will see family and friends catch up with each other or celebrate new friendships," she said.
"As well, every single competitor has probably trained in order to represent their country the best they can. The health benefits to everyone involved is quite enormous.
"It's competitive, but it's much more than that."
There were 32 teams at the Inverell event, representing 29 countries.
Mrs Latimore thanked the Werin Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre and The Westport Club for their support of the team.
It is expected the 2019 Elders Olympics will be held over two days in early April. The event is likely to attract over 700 competitors, many of whom will stay up to four or five days in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.
Planning is already underway for the event, Mrs Latimore said.