2023 Paul Kelly Cup Finals wrap

Author Name: jacklynch | Posted 1:10 pm on Friday 1st September, 2023

The Paul Kelly Cup Finals day saw 2 4 teams from 23 schools across NSW and the ACT come to Sydney Olympic Park to compete for the glory of becoming the best primary school team in NSW and the ACT.

Matches were played across two grounds and six playing fields, two on Tom Wills Oval – the GIANTS’ training facility – and four at GIANTS Stadium. The 24 teams were shuttled between the grounds, each playing three pool games. The top teams in this round robin format went through to the semi-final, the winners of that progressing to the final.

AFLW superstar and Paul Kelly Cup alumnus, Alyce Parker from the GIANTS, attended to give her best wishes to the players, inspiring them to be their best only a few days out from her opening AFLW match.

Sydney Swans AFLW player born and raised in South Australia, Bella Smith, also attended to present medallions to winning teams.

Congratulations to each of the teams who made it through to the Paul Kelly Cup Final. Each school represented the best of their region. A pool of more than 10,000 players from more than 50 local tournaments was gradually whittled down throughout the year until just four remained at the end.

All results from the Paul Kelly Cup Finals can be found h ere.

Here’s a brief report on the Final matches, with some photo highlights from the day. (Schools will be provided with a file of photos specific to their school.)

Paul Kelly Cup Grand Final 2023 – girls
St Catherine’s Singleton 5.2 (32) def Henschke Public School 3.1 (19)

It was impossible to split St Catherine’s Singleton and Henschke Public School (Wagga Wagga) coming into the Grand Final. Both teams had looked dominant all day with the only imperfection in their campaign a draw, which they played out against one another in the pool matches.

The girls from Singleton all but iced the game in the opening half, delivering four goals straight. It was going to be difficult for Henschke from there, but to the players’ credit the rallied, kicking two goals in a row and giving them a sniff.

Henschke didn’t hit the goals in the second half, giving St Catherine’s the opportunity to sing the school song. It was the feel good moment of the day for the Singleton players to bring a trophy home following such a difficult year for the Singleton footy community.

Best on Ground: Quinn Neyland (No. 11)

Watch the replay on Kommunity TV here.

Paul Kelly Cup Grand Final 2022 – boys
Albury Public School 6.0 (36) def Mimosa Public School 3.1 (19)

Albury Public School had been the hottest of favourites all day as it looked to make it three Paul Kelly Cups on the trot (2019, 2021). The boys from the border had made short work of each of their opponents throughout the tournament and it seemed they had one hand on the cup.

However, Mimosa Public School came out firing following their one-point win against St Joseph’s Mereweather in the semi-final, booting the first two goals of the match and giving the Albury players some food for thought.

It was all Albury in the second half. Their sublime skills and subsequently smooth ball movement meant they could pile on the goals with little their opponents could do. Albury were worthy winners, with margins throughout the day of 51, 43, 12, 43, and 17 – an outstanding set of results, particularly given matches are only 20 minutes long.

Best on Ground: Charlie Coulter, Albury Public School (No. 7)

Watch the replay on Kommunity TV here.