Primary schools hit the SCG

Year 5 and 6 students from 14 schools across the Illawarra, Central Coast, northern NSW and metropolitan Sydney will compete in the largest AFL primary school competition in NSW and the ACT.

Several Sydney Swans players and coaches will be on hand on Wednesday, June 19 for the all-day carnival with both boys and girls competitions.

Named after a former Sydney Swans great, the Paul Kelly Cup consists of schools competing in round robin carnivals in their local area.

Games are played on a smaller field using modified 12-a-side rules which allow children who are new to the game to experience and enjoy AFL in a safe and fun environment.

Swans co-captain Kieren Jack was introduced to AFL playing for Pennant Hills Public School in a Paul Kelly Cup competition.

“The Paul Kelly Cup, this is where it all started for me,” he said.

“I was an 11, 12 year old, this was my first introduction to the game.

“I didn’t know a thing about it but came out – I think there were about 80 Primary Schools at the time involved in the Cup and now there’s about 1000 so it probably shows how much the game’s grown in that space of time.

“These kids, while they don’t all play AFL, they’re out here just enjoying it and giving it a go and that’s what you want to see.”

Local Paul Kelly Cup days are held in Term 1 and early Term 2 with winning teams progressing to the regional finals which were held over the last month.

The winner of the Paul Kelly Cup – Swans Zone Finals will play the winner of the GIANTS Cup Zone Finals in a once-in-a-lifetime experience next month.

In 2012 there were over 1000 teams and more than 15,000 students participating from schools all over NSW and the ACT.

Boys Competition

Wallsend South Public School
St John The Baptist, Woy Woy
Kanwal Public School
Newington College
Harbord Public School
Lilli Pilli Public School
Gerringong Public School
Mittagong Public School Lions

Girls Competition

Telarah Public School
Kanwal Public School
Yamba Public School
Forestville Public School
Lane Cove Public School
Lilli Pilli Public School
Waniora Public School
Thirroul Public School