On the weekend of July 16 and 17, the Vibe 3on3™ made its return to the vibrant and colourful community of Yirrkala in the Northern Territory, once again enjoying a magical weekend of basketball and hip hop fun on the shores of the Arafura Sea.

The stars of the Yirrkala event have always been the children of the community, and while the weekend is about basketball, hip hop and healthy lifestyles, the 3on3 crew learn as much from the children as the children learn from them, by way of cultural enrichment and the sharing of tradition, language and knowledge.

For Tammy Jarrett, a graduate of the NAISDA dance college who runs the girls’ dancing workshop during the event, this was her first trip to Yirrkala and one that she will never forget.

“I thought the kids were beautiful,” said Tammy after the event. “They were very talented and they weren’t shame to join in the activities.

“I was impressed by how the community has kept their young people involved in their culture, and also how they speak their language fluently. Just being around it all was an amazing experience.”

Event producer Gavin Jones was once again overwhelmed with the warm welcome received by the crew, and echoes all of their sentiments when he speaks about the uniqueness of the Yirrkala event.

“Yirrkala is a truly special community,” Gavin said. “It’s a place that all the crew now share a very strong and heartfelt connection with.

“The young people of Yirrkala are one of a kind – so rich in their culture, so talented and so welcoming. Each time we bring the event to Nhulunbuy there is that same magical atmosphere. The location is stunning and for the entire crew, travelling to Yirrkala is a special reward and something that stays with us long after we return home to Sydney.”

Over the course of the weekend, 54 teams participated in the basketball and hip hop activities. The entire weekend was a complete success, but sadly it came to an end all too soon.

When the van carrying the last of the crew pulled out of Yirrkala late on the Sunday, many of the young people who had taken part in the 3on3 stood by the side of the road to wave off the Vibe crew with beaming smiles.

For the Vibe crew, who are all based in Sydney, the trip away to Yirrkala is always a very special journey. Each time they return home deeply touched by the community’s warmth, generosity and beautiful culture and look forward to their next trip back to what has become a second home.

Boys U10 G-Unit Brendan Baunu Yama Baunu Kalkani Pehi Presenter: Bethan Davies		Girls U10 Angel Girls Rosie Mununggurr Maminydjama Maymurru Louise Mununuggurr Presenter: Rene Baker
Boys U12 FUBU Tyresse Maymuru Jesiah Munungurru Shaun Munungurr Presenter: Yalmay Yunupingu		Girls U12 Rockstars Whitney Marika Rhiannon Mununggurritj Lesley Ganamarra Troy Marika Presenter: Djawalpi Marika
Boys U14 All Blacks Dallas Walker Jeremy Edwards Aaron Walker Presenter: Bo de la Cruz		Girls U14 SMS Alkeira Wallace Shona Briston Sarah Berrington Mel Belk Presenter: Kyle Vander-Kuyp
Boys U16 NBA Boys Denis Lansen Daniel Ngurruthun Gerard Munungurru Josh Grimsey Presenter: Michelle Musselwhite		Girls U16 Superstars Kenesha Ganambarr Kylie Nguwaurruthun Delma Guyual Veronica Bindinal Presenter: Andrea Collins
Boys Open Thunderboys Galbirri Collins Booge Ngurruwutthun Michael Taulane Presenter: Kyle Vander-Kuyp		Girls U18 Puma Dayna Yunupingu Terena Munungurru Jurisha Burarrwada Gwenda Munugurru Irene Munungurru Presenter: Claude Williams
Puggy Hunter Award Whitney Marika Presenter: Sharon Munungurr		Girls Open Dhanbul Oldies Michelle Musselwhite Andrea Collins Banbapuy Whitehead Baminuniya Marika Presenter: Vicki Jones
Girls Rap Winner Veronica Bindinal Runner Up – Shazam Lateesha Jeffrey Carly Bassett Sophia Detenon Presenter: Mike Bamford		Boys Rap Competition Winner Dion Runner Up – G-Unit Kalkani Pehi Yama Baunu Brendan Baunu Presenter: Wire MC
Traditional Dancing Yirrya Boys Djumburpur Burnyarrwuy Presenter: Maria Munungurr		Traditional Dancing Yoluy Bugggul Girls Maminydjama Wanymalka Djolurr

Best Team Card Shazam Lateesha Jeffrey Carly Bassett Sophia Detenon Presenter: Gavin Jones		My Story Winner Jeremy Edwards
Boys Break-off Winners Brendan Prizeman (1st) Cedric Marika (2nd) Dennis Lansen (3rd) Presenter: Isaac Parsons		Girls Break-off Winners Basma Gurruwiwi (1st) Jessica Ngurruwuthun (2nd) Lateesha Jeffrey (3rd) Presenter: Tammie Jarrett
Best Dressed Arona Pehi Kalkani Pehi Yama Baunu Presenter: Gavin Jones

Tags: Northern Territory, Vibe 3on3, yirrkala