Parrtjima shines in NRL Indigenous Round

Alice Springs (Mparntwe) and Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2021 will be the backdrop for Fox Sports’ coverage of the NRL Indigenous Round this weekend. Fox Sports travelled to the Red Centre to film with NRL superstar Josh Addo-Carr, who was a speaker at this year’s Parrtjima, and the Territory’s own Danzal Baker OAM, aka Baker Boy. A Yolngu man, Baker Boy performed at Parrtjima in 2019 and since then has been awarded Young Australian of the Year. He continues to take Australia’s hip-hop scene by storm.

Film crews visited Parrtjima at Alice Springs Desert Park, and also captured an exclusive sunset performance by Baker Boy at iconic Simpsons Gap. Baker Boy was accompanied by Addo-Carr, who is from the Gunggandji, Birrbay and Wiradjuri people of New South Wales. The two hope their involvement in the campaign will help celebrate the contribution of Indigenous athletes all over Australia. Addo-Carr said it was a privilege to be involved.

“I feel honoured to have been involved in this year’s Parrtjima, and to be a face of Fox Sports’ Indigenous Round campaign,” he said. “It’s so important to recognise the contribution of Indigenous athletes, our culture and how we’ve helped shape the game. I hope I can inspire the next generation of sporting stars to work hard and realise anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

In an added bonus for Addo-Carr fans, the full recording of his talk with 2021 Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts is now available online at www.parrtjima.com.au. The multiple NRL premiership winner shares the highs and lows of his career, his connection to culture and country, and his hopes for the next generation.

Baker Boy said he loved his time in the Red Centre and at Parrtjima.

“It was amazing to head up to Alice Springs to film this incredible promo, and to meet Josh (Addo-Carr), the whole experience just had a really special feeling, like we were making something pretty iconic!” he said. “I grew up watching and playing both AFL and NRL so it’s a massive privilege to hear my music alongside some of the greats of the games, a real dream come true.

“It’s really important we celebrate Indigenous rounds in sport, and really make an effort to highlight our incredible First Nations players not only for what they bring to the game, but also what they bring to the wider community. It’s all about showing the next generation that they can do it too.”

Fox Sports Head of Creative, Charlie Lambert, said it was a privilege to work on the campaign with the team behind Parrtjima.

“Music plays such a big part in what we do at Fox Sports,” he said. “We are so proud of the Baker Boy collaboration. He was the perfect choice for the Indigenous Round. To be flanked by some of our favourites, such as Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell, was the icing on the cake. Watch out for the goanna!”