North Pilbara Ready to Showcase Pilbara Pride at Country Championships

North Pilbara Football League Ready to Showcase Pilbara Pride at Country Championships

The North Pilbara Football League will arrive at the 2026 Nutrien Ag Solutions Senior Men’s Country Championships determined to showcase not only its football talent, but the unique spirit that defines the Pilbara.

Under first-year Championship coach David Van Raalte, the squad has been built on league-wide representation, experience and a fierce sense of regional pride as they prepare to take on the state’s best country footballer’s.

Van Raalte brings a wealth of coaching experience, having spent 11 seasons coaching senior football across the Perth Football League, North Pilbara Football League and in development roles within the WAFL. His coaching résumé includes premiership success with the Karratha Kats and guiding multiple metropolitan clubs through successful promotions.

For Van Raalte, however, this year’s group is about far more than football ability.

“The unity stands out more than anything,” he said. “The Pilbara is a whole other world in terms of environment and the guys here really identify with the uniqueness. We’ve grasped what’s special about our region and are using that as our common ground and our source of pride to play for. We’re coming down to Perth from different clubs but as a unified group with a common goal.”

Building that unity started with ensuring every club across the competition was represented.

“First and foremost I wanted representation from every team,” Van Raalte said. “I wanted complete buy-in from the entire NPFL and you don’t get that if you only have players from a few teams. There are stars in all six sides and I wanted access to them all.

“I also have to give special mention to the club coaches who have been extremely helpful with nominations and player availability.”

The result is a squad featuring a balanced blend of seasoned campaigners and exciting emerging talent.

North Pilbara boast significant high-level experience, including former Carlton AFL player and Sandover Medallist Blaine Boekhorst, West Perth veteran Mark Hamilton, Mitch Bain and several players with WAFL experience.

Van Raalte also believes skipper Ben Maine is among the most talented footballers supporters will see across the Championships.

“Ben is one of the silkiest players you’ll see at any level,” he said.

Despite the individual talent, Van Raalte believes the side’s greatest weapon will be its commitment.

“As one of the teams travelling the furthest, we’ve had to commit to time off work and purchasing flights,” he said. “We’ve proven we’re committed to the cause and we don’t want to waste the opportunity.”

Among the many stories within the squad is exciting forward Jermarl Dayly, whose football journey has taken him across Australia. After representing Western Australia as a junior, Dayly played in Victoria last season, famously kicking six goals in a preliminary final to propel his side into a Grand Final.

North Pilbara Football League President Michael Bunting said the enthusiasm shown across the league had been one of the biggest positives leading into the Championships.

“What excites us most is the strength of representation across the whole league,” Bunting said. “All six clubs have got behind the program, and it has been great to see so many players make themselves available to travel to Perth and represent the NPFL.

“That level of buy-in shows how much pride there is in the jumper and how strongly the clubs support the program.”

That support has been reflected in player availability, with more than 50 footballers nominating for selection.

“Our Championships committee did a lot of work in the off-season to reset the program and put a stronger structure around the team, and that work has clearly paid off,” Bunting said.

“We had more than 50 players nominated, which gave the coaches a very difficult job in selecting the final squad. That’s exactly the position we want to be in as a league.”

Supporters should also keep an eye on several players capable of making an impact throughout the carnival.

Ryan Newick has impressed since arriving in the NPFL this season and is expected to transition well to representative football, while dangerous small forward Lawrence Roberts is renowned for his goal sense—and his trademark backflip celebrations after majors.

Young talent Jedd White is another player tipped to make his mark, combining athleticism, height and skill to become an influential player throughout the Championships.

For Bunting, Country Championships represents far more than wins and losses.

“It gives us a chance to showcase the talent we have in the Pilbara and across the NPFL,” he said.

“The Pythons brand continues to grow, and community support is building each year.”

That pathway has expanded in 2026 with the introduction of the Colts Pythons representative side, giving aspiring young footballers another milestone to strive towards.

While acknowledging the challenges of operating one of Western Australia’s most remote football competitions, Bunting believes the league continues to thrive.

“There is a lot of talent running around in the NPFL,” he said.

“The Pilbara is in a strong economic cycle, which creates work and career opportunities, and that also attracts talented footballers who are keen to experience the Pilbara lifestyle.”

The setting itself is something the league proudly embraces.

“We believe the NPFL is one of the strongest regional competitions in WA, especially given how far we are from Perth,” Bunting said.

“The league is played in a unique part of the country, surrounded by the red dirt, hills, coastline and communities that make the Pilbara special.

“It’s high-quality football played in a landscape unlike anywhere else.”

With league-wide support, experienced leaders and the pride of an entire region behind them, the Pythons will head south eager to prove the strength of football in the Pilbara on country football’s biggest stage.