Defending men's champions the South Coast Black Cockatoos have announced that the Koori Knockout will go-ahead for the first time since 2019.
The enormously-popular community-run event has been on ice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Black Cockatoos' hand forced in postponing successive times.
Captain Ben Wellington told NITV News of the relief after a couple of tough years.
"We've finally got the go-ahead ... let's go!" he said.
"Words can't really describe how frustrating and how hard it's been not just for us personally as hosts but everyone you know, everyone in the community loves football.
We've been able to cement it with the new COVID regulations ... we held a delegates meeting on the weekend and everyone's pumped and ready to get in."
Wellington said the Black Cockatoos Facebook page will be the primary source for community information as it comes to hand.
Earlier on Monday an update was posted confirming the event will be held across the October long weekend at Bomaderry Sporting Complex and Rugby Park.
Registrations will open on April 30 for teams in the men's and women's divisions as well as boys and girls under 15's and 17's. There will also be a competition run for under 13's boys.
While three years will have passed, Wellington and the Black Cockatoos are hopeful of fielding a strong side similar to the one that was named in honour of his late brother James Wellington, that convincingly defeated Griffith Three Ways to take the title in 2019.
Overall, Wellington says he's just happy that finally, all the mob can get together.
"That's what it's about bruz, we've put up with a lot of shit over the last two, three years and just getting everyone together and seeing some family and having a good time."
