Celebrating selection into the Indigenous Australian Invitational Team

ACT Policing Intelligence trainee, Matthew Saul, was lucky enough to be selected to play in the Indigenous Australian Invitational Team in a Rugby Union tour across Canada and the USA recently.

Matthew, who currently plays at fullback and on the wing for the Queanbeyan Whites said he was proud to be picked to play on the team.

“To be picked as part of the team was an extremely proud moment. To have a chance to play the game I love abroad and be able to represent my heritage, my mob and my family at such an elite level is an opportunity I will cherish,” Matthew said.  

The team played against American and Canadian representative sides, universities and military teams. 

The Australian team did well in the tournament, winning four of their six games, although Matthew says that the results didn’t reflect the quality of the other teams in the competition.

“I personally don’t think the score lines were indicative of the games. All six games were extremely physical contests and we all played with a lot of pride and passion,” Matthew said.

Matthew says that a visit to Niagara Falls and the cultural aspects were among the highlights of the trip.

“We were invited to a ‘Pow Wow’ – a Native American version of a Corrobboree. To have that cultural exchange with another Indigenous group and see them going through similar issues as Indigenous Australians was eye opening”

“I hope to bring the knowledge, leadership skills and lessons I’ve learnt back to my community, and hope I can give back and become a positive influence and role model for the next generation.” Matthew said.