Moran comes full circle as Indigenous officers unite for historic match

Former Parramatta playmaker Dennis Moran has embraced the chance to represent his heritage as members of the NSW Police Force unite to inspire Indigenous communities across the state. 

The proud Anaiwan man will lace up the boots on Saturday night when the first NSW Police Force Indigenous rugby league team takes to Allianz Stadium to take on the Royal Australian Navy Indigenous team.

The match will be played prior to South Sydney's Indigenous Round clash with Parramatta. 

An Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer with the NSW Police Force in Western Sydney, Moran has seen firsthand the power of Indigenous representation within the force.

So even though he retired from elite rugby league in 2008, the former playmaker is excited to return to Moore Park, 29 years after he made his first grade debut at the old Sydney Football Stadium. 

"It's going to be challenging but all the boys are up for it and it's a good concept," Moran told NRL.com. 

"It's a great opportunity for Aboriginal people to be exposed to our culture and to build something for the next generation. We're also showing Indigenous people that they can have fun, they get an opportunity to have a career and play football as well. 

"I love being in the community and helping out. I get the opportunity to talk to families and young people in regards to things that are happening and help them make a change to become a better person, not just for themselves but for the community."

The team has been named the Trackers to honour the historic role Indigenous people played within the NSW Police Force and has been more than 18 months in the making. 

Sergeant Nathan Trueman was among the drivers of the concept and will coach the side, with former NRL players Rod Silva and Scott Mieni on the team's committee. 

Joining Moran on the field on Saturday are a mix of serving officers, Aboriginal Cultural Liaison Officers and Police Force employees.

The team assembled for a three-day camp on Wednesday, with the squad conducting a number of on-field training and off-field cultural sessions. 

Eels legend Dean Widders dropped in to teach the Indigenous war cry, while there will also be a community event at Redfern Oval on Thursday evening. 

There will be a number of activations at the ground on Saturday, with the PCYC bringing young Indigenous kids from regional areas to Sydney for the weekend.  

The team's founders are hoping Indigenous people both within and outside the force will benefit from the concept. The Trackers have allowed First Nations officers from across the state to connect, while it's also hoped the team's formation will encourage Indigenous people to join the police. 

Trueman is also eager to use the team to break down some of the barriers that have historically existed between Aboriginal communities and the NSW Police Force.

Eventually, it's hoped, the Trackers will play in matches against Indigenous teams in other emergency services and even a New Zealand Māori Police team. 

"Police rugby league has been around for 70 years and we've never done this before," Trueman said. "Indigenous people have been in the force since the beginning, that's where our name comes from, and this allows the police, Aboriginal people and rugby league to come together as one. 

"I hope it draws more young blokes to the cops and it's a great way to break down barriers between us and the community. We've got a big community event at Redfern Oval and the boys are keen to get out in the community. 

"This game will show the young blokes out there that there's people the same colour as them, the same background as them, in the police force doing good things. It opens their eyes to go, 'if he's done it, then maybe I can do it'."

Don’t miss this exciting showdown between the NSW Police Force Indigenous Team and the Royal Australian Navy Indigenous Team. Gates open at 5:25pm so get down early and be inside the stadium by 5:35pm for kick off. The match concludes at 6:35pm, followed by the presentation ceremony at 6:45pm, before the Rabbitohs and Eels take the field at 7:35pm.