Arafura Games

Chief Minister’s Message

The Arafura Games is a remarkable success story. In May 1991 the first Arafura Games, then known as the “Arafura Sports Festival”, was staged in Darwin with athletes participating from seven countries. In 2007 the Arafura Games included participants from some 42 countries. In 2007 the Games incorporated the Oceania Open Paralympic Championships for the first time and was conducted under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

Message from the Minister

Welcome to this edition of the Arafura Games 2009 newsletter. As Minister for Sport and Recreation I am very much looking forward to the Arafura Games 09 which are now less than six months away.

Daily forecast
Here is a list of today’s highlights at Arafura Games 2009. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office.  Read more... 259.74 Kb

Results of Lawn Bowls Saturday 16 May Arafura Games 2009
Location: Nightcliff Bowls Club and Palmerston Golf and Country Club, NT  Read more... 257.61 Kb

Medals awarded in International Lifesaving at Arafura Games 2009
The last of the finals for the International Lifesaving competition were completed a shot time ago and the results are in. Read more... 256.13 Kb

Results are in for men's criterium today at Arafura Games 2009
The Men’s Elite and U19 Criterium was a fast-paced affair that sped through the streets of Darwin to the delight of passers by.  Read more... 243.17 Kb

Queensland Cyclist wins gold in female criterium today at Arafura Games 2009
Mackay cyclist Gillian McMinn won the elite female Criterium this morning at the Arafura Games 2009.  Read more 242.52 Kb

Northern Ireland's gold winning performance at Arafura Games 2009
In front of an audience topping 500 the team from Northern Ireland was the stand out of Friday night’s Boxing finals at the Arafura Games 2009 with all fighters winning gold.  Read more... 244.79 Kb

Daily forecast
Here is a list of today’s highlights at Arafura Games 2009. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office.  Read more... 263.59 Kb

Results of the Table Tennis finals at Arafura Games 2009
The Arafura Games 2009 Table Tennis competition for AWD and able-bodies athletes concluded Friday afternoon. The event is a round of the Oceania Paralympic Championships and qualifying players from Oceana countries only also receive Oceanic Medals.  Read more... 256.91 Kb

Internatonal team stake top spots in Shooting - Pistol (IPSC) at Arafura Games 2009
International teams from Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka topped the medal tally in Shooting-Pistol (IPSC) finals Friday at Arafura Games 2009.  Read more... 244.17 Kb 

Filipina Tennis champ wants place at Darwin University
Filipina Macy Solon, who successfully defended her Arafura Games singles title at the Gardens Tennis Centre this evening, wants to attend Charles Darwin University.  Read more... 244.92 Kb

Early birthday present for Tennis coach
Palmerston tennis coach Daniel Parker gave himself an early birthday present this evening by winning the Arafura Games singles title at the Gardens Tennis Centre.  Read more... 245.46 Kb

NT Teenager to play for gold in Squash on Saturday night
NT teen Charmaine Mills, 17, will take on the biggest challenge of her young life tomorrow night when she plays Caroline Quache of New Caledonia for the gold medal in the final of the Women’s Individual Event.  Read more... 242.70 Kb

Softball medal round continues Saturday at Arafura Games
Leading off the softball competition Friday evening were the All Stars and NT. With the scene already set for these two teams to meet in the gold medal match Saturday, both teams used this game as a chance to stretch their legs and feel out the opposition.  Read more... 245.78 Kb

Favourites China beaten by Singapore in gold round of Sepak Takraw at Arafura Games 2009
It was a battle of the giants of Sepak Takraw at the Darwin Convention Centre Friday night when China’a national team played Singapore in both the doubles and regu events.  Read more... 243.51 Kb

Samoan Weightlifter bread Oceania an Commonwealth records at Arafura Games 2009
At the Arafura Games 2009 Weightlifting competition today in Darwin, Eli Opeloge of Samoa broke the Oceania and Commonwealth weightlifting record.  Read more... 242.79 Kb

Close finish expected in Women's Golf
A close finish is expected this afternoon in the Arafura Games Women’s Open at the Darwin Golf Club.  Read more... 242.64 Kb

Handcyclists' Arafura Games 2009 road race finishes
Friday morning’s 2009 Oceania Para Cycling Road Race did not see any records broken but the field completed the course in good time.  Read more... 244.57 Kb

Palmerston coach in Tennis final
Palmerston tennis coach, Daniel Parker will meet a 16-year student from Brunei in the final of the Arafura Games men’s singles at Gardens Tennis Centre this evening (5.00pm start).  Read more... 242.51 Kb

Quality Boxing in the ring at Arafura Games 2009 
Darwin’s Michael Sacco started in the blue corner against Kyle Merewether from New Zealand in the 81kg light heavyweight division on Thursday night. In the first round the two fighters were punch for punch but at the end of round one only three punches had scored points, with Sacco down by 2/1.  Read more... 244.97 Kb

Daily media wrap
Here is today’s media wrap up. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office.  Read more... 258.86 Kb

Daily forecast
Here is a list of today’s highlights at Arafura Games 2009. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office.  Read more... 275.31 Kb.

Aussie Girl wins gold in Muaythai at Arafura Games
Heather O’Donnell from Caloundra, Qld, defeated South Africa’s Madeline Ross to take gold in the last bout of the finals of the Muaythai competition tonight.  Read more... 242.75 Kb.

Competition heats up in Squash at Arafura Games 2009
Quarter final action in Squash tonight saw a top game played between the two seasoned players. NT players Ryan Ashcroft and Rod Smith went head to head in match where the play was hard and fast. After some long hard rallies Ashcroft took out the match 3/0 to secure a position in the Semi-Finals.  Read more... 248.72 Kb

Suprise wins in Muaythai finals at Arafura Games
The Muaythai competition at Arafura Games 2009 turned up some surprise wins tonight at Spectrum Stadium in the Marrara Sports Precinct.  Read more... 236.33 Kb

NT bowlers prove masters at Arafura Games 2009
Darwin’s Ronald Voukolos won his first major title by taking gold in the Arafura Games Masters Event in Tenpin Bowling this evening.  Read more... 248.30 Kb

Timor Leste undefeated and playing for gold
Timor Leste is undefeated after five competition rounds in Arafura Games football and will be playing for gold in Darwin on Saturday night.  Read more 246.70 Kb

Sarawak clearly dominte Tenpin event at Arafura Games 2009
With the wrap-up yesterday of the Arafura Australasian Youth Championships Sarawak showed their complete dominance by winning the Youth Masters event.  Read more... 244.51 Kb

Ironman ready to defend his title at Arafura Games 2009
The present Arafura Games ironman, Jake Nicholson says he is ready to defend his title on Saturday following intensive preparation in Darwin this week.  Read more... 253.17 Kb 

Australian's scoop medals in Cycling Time Trial today at Arafura Games 2009
The results of this morning’s Cycling Individual Time Trial are just in and the top three spots went to Australian's.  Read more... 242.25 Kb

Top seed defeated in men's singles upset at Arafura Games 2009
In the first Badminton match of the day on Thursday Macau’s Kin Fai Leong, who has long been feted as the potential winner of the Men’s Singles gold, was defeated in a closely fought match with Ralph Mendez of the Philippines.  Read more... 247.24 Kb

Muaythai matches set to sizzle tonight at Arafura Games 2009
The finals of the Muaythai start Thursday evening at 5pm and the line up of contenders is affirmation that this growing in popularity in Australia. There are five Aussies in medal contention.  Read more... 264.01 Kb

Daily media wrap
Here is today’s media wrap up. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office.  Read more... 253.75 Kb

Daily forecast
Here is a list of today’s highlights at Arafura Games 2009. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office.  Read more... 97.70 Kb

British men’s team dominate Squash at Arafura Games 2009
Great Britain’s British Combined Services has proven to be a major force in the men’s individual Squash event having five players out of eight going into the quarter final on at 7.30pm Thursday.  Read more... 248.75 Kb

Young Cyclists in time trials
Three 14-year-old NT cyclists will take part in individual time trials tomorrow (Thursday) at the Hidden Valley Arafura Games course in Darwin.  Read more... 41.28 Kb

Back somersault to celebrate at Arafura Games 2009
Weightlifter Davina Hughes celebrated with a back somersault at Arafura Games 2009 in Darwin today after qualifying for next month’s Junior World Championships.  Read more... 243.34 Kb

Fierce competition in Boxing at Arafura Games 2009 Tonight
More than 400 spectators watched another class night of boxing on Tuesday with 15 matches played throughout the evening at Arafura Games 2009.  Read more... 250.77 Kb

Big night of Football at Arafura Games 2009
Territorians were treated to five excellent football matches last night as the Football competition at Arafura Games 2009 moved up a gear.  Read more... 245.41 Kb

Australian Champion seeks to gain world qualification at Arafura Games Weightlifting today
The Weightlifting competition starts at 2pm today with the Men’s 56kg and Women’s 53kg categories.  Read more... 242.35 Kb

Shooting medals awarded this morning at Arafura Games 2009
Australia has scooped the medals pool in the Shooting – Pistol IPSC competition this morning at Arafura Games 2009.  Read more... 243.44 Kb

Chinese coach claims bias by referees
Chinese basketball coach has accused Australian referees at the Arafura Games in Darwin of favouring local teams, a claim rejected by the referees.  Read more... 244.09 Kb

Table Tennis amps up in Palmerston during Arafura Games 2009
Today's Table Tennis matches promise to be some of the best so far on the Arafura Games 2009 program.  Read more... 243.38 Kb

Back Somersault to Celebrate at Arafura Games 2009
Weightlifter Davina Hughes celebrated with a back somersault at Arafura Games 2009 in Darwin today after qualifying for next month’s Junior World Championships. Read more... 41.33 Kb

Daily media wrap
Here is today’s media wrap up. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office. Read more... 58.21 Kb

Daily forecast
Here is a list of today’s highlights at Arafura Games 2009. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office. Read more... 222.16 Kb

Old Rivals Share Honours
Both Australia and England squandered quality scoring chances, before playing out a torrid nil-all draw in their Paralympic Football clash at Marrara Stadium.  Read more... 245.86 Kb

Emma Kraft in the hunt for third gold at Arafura Games 2009
Alice Springs runner Emma Kraft has bagged two golds at the Arafura Games 2009 and is looking to add to her cache with gold in tonight’s 5000m.  Read more... 243.44 Kb

Townsville Runner scores gold in two outings at Arafura Games 2009
Townsville runner Anthony Craig has bagged two golds at the Arafura Games 2009 and is looking to add to his cache with gold in tonight’s 3000m.  Read more... 41.33 Kb 

Jump start to London 2012 Athletes Collect Medals at Arafura Games 2009 
Young Indigenous athletes are getting a leg up in Darwin during the Arafura Games 2009 with help from star sprinter Patrick Johnson and champion hurdler Kyle Vander Kuyp.  Read more... 49.37 Kb

Boxing gets underway at Arafura Games 2009
The first rounds in the Boxing competition of Arafura Games 2009 commenced Monday night with a large crowd in attendance filling both grandstands and overflowing onto the grassy areas around the outdoor venue.  Read more... 49.59 Kb

Results of Lawn Bowls Tuesday 12 May Arafura Games 2009
Arafura Games Day 3 Results, Location: Nightcliff Bowls Club and Palmerston Golf and Country Club. Read more... 48.89 Kb

NT relay teams swim for gold at Arafura Games tonight
Four young girls and four young boys have made Arafura Games history in Darwin tonight and in the effort won gold for Australia. Stevie Nibbs, Lili Burrow, Rachel Zaborskis and Elyshia Sheldon shaved 10 seconds off the race record set in 2007 for the 4x100 Medley Relay to finish in 4:50.50.  Read more... 41.72 Kb

Badminton teams event gold goes to Macau at Arafura Games 2009
The team from Macau proved too strong for the competition in the teams Badminton event at Arafura Games 2009 today. Macau won the gold medal with a superior performance over silver medallists New Caledonia with the bronze going to Singapore Police.  Read more... 41.22 Kb

Arafura Games history made by a kick of a football
A young Indonesian has made Arafura Games football history with a goal from the opening kick-off. The kick by Aceh captain, Hendra Yani soared high then dropped sharply into the net over the head of the surprised NT 16’s goalkeeper… and equally surprised players, officials and spectators.  Read more... 41.36 Kb

Daily media wrap
Here is today’s media wrap up. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office.  Read more... 50.91 Kb

Daily forecast
Here is a list of today’s highlights at Arafura Games 2009. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office. Read more (pdf 207Kb).

Sepak Takraw pulls Chinese National Team for Arafura Games 2009
A surprise late entry in Arafura Games 2009 is the national Sepak Takraw team from China, who will play the Singapore A team in what promises to be a high energy competition at the Darwin Convention Centre. Read more (pdf 244Kb).

Hong Kong wins in first round of Muaythai at Arafura Games 2009
New Territories Muaythai competitor 20-year-old Tsang Wai Ving defeated Ashleigh Sathit from New Zealand in the first round of Muaythai at the Arafura Games 2009 on Sunday evening. Read more (pdf 243Kb).

Borroloola Cyclones fail to win but not to entertain at debut outing at Arafura Games 2009
Sunday night saw the Arafura Games 2009 debut of the talented Northern Territory football (soccer) team, the Borroloola Cyclones, who hail from a remote community in the north-east of the state. Read more (pdf 244Kb).

Daily media wrap
Here is today’s media wrap up. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office. Read more (pdf 51Kb).

Daily forecast
Here is a list of today’s highlights at Arafura Games 2009. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office. Read more (pdf 228Kb).

Singapore takes gold and silver at Arafura Games 2009
Two young Singaporean shooters have grabbed gold and silver in the Junior Air 60 event at Arafura Games 2009. Read more (pdf 188Kb).

Indonesia medals at Arafura Games 2009
Indonesian swimmers picked up bronze and silver medals tonight at the Swimming meet at Arafura Games 2009. Read more (pdf 189Kb).

New Caledonian swimmers thrill at Arafura Games 2009
Some of New Caledonia ’s best young swimmers scored well on the first day of the swimming events at Arafura Games 2009. Read more (pdf 191Kb).

New Zealand swimmers thrill at Arafura Games 2009
Some of New Zealand’s best young swimmers scored well on the first day of the swimming events at Arafura Games 2009. Read more (pdf 199Kb).

NT youngsters scoop medals in Swimming Finals at Arafura Games 2009
Two young Northern Territory swimmers threw down the gauntlet to all comers today by pocketing medals in the swimming finals of Arafura Games 2009. Read more (pdf 187Kb)

Action aplenty at Tenpin Bowling at Arafura Games 2009
The Northern Territory’s Bruno Maglieri and Ronald Voukolos have shot to the lead of Men’s Doubles in the Tenpin Bowling competition at the Arafura Games 2009 with a score of 1339, missing the record by 30 pins. Read more (pdf 188Kb).

NT and Macau take gold in Triathlon at Arafura Games 2009
A Northern Territory grandfather, Tim Ellison, was first across the line in the Arafura Games Triathlon in a time of 2 hours 3 minutes and 41 seconds this morning. Read more (pdf 189Kb).

Daily media wrap
Here is today’s media wrap up. To find out more about the stories highlighted, please contact Gail Liston in the Media Centre at the Arafura Games Administration Office. Read more (pdf 197Kb).