Paul Kelly Cup state final
2011 Paul Kelly Cup Draw
The best up and coming primary school AFL players will be looking to impress next week when they travel to Blacktown International Sportspark for the Paul Kelly Cup state final.
With over 15,000 participants across 950 teams, the Paul Kelly Cup is one of the largest primary school competitions in Australia.
All schools have played their way through a number of knockout matches in their state-based region already this year and now the best 24 boys teams and 16 girls teams will battle it out for the coveted title.
For the first time ever, two multicultural schools, Al Zahra Islamic College and Rissallah College, will take part in the final.
To make the journey even more special for all budding AFL juniors is the fact they’ll get to meet a legend of the game, former Sydney Swans player Michael O’Loughlin. O’Loughlin will be on deck to offer advice to the kids and present the winning boys team with the trophy.
This year’s event also marks the second time a girls competition has participated in the Paul Kelly Cup with Kings Langley looking to make it back to back wins.
AFL NSW/ACT Schools and Universities Coordinator Mark Ayers said the two-day event will be a great experience for the kids.
“This is the perfect opportunity for kids from all over the state to come together to share and embrace their common interest in AFL,” Ayers said.
“It’s not everyday people, let alone kids in grades five and six, get the chance to play at a world class facility and the home of the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS.
“Since the inception of the Paul Kelly Cup in 1997, the competition has grown rapidly and it will be a fitting reward for the school that gets their name engraved on the sought-after Cup.
“We hope all kids have fun and enjoy their time in Sydney for the Paul Kelly Cup.”
The Paul Kelly Cup competition launched the career of Sydney Swans club champion Kieren Jack. With the Sydney Swans and the GWS GIANTS looking for kids to be part of their Academy in the future, it may be only a matter of time until the next Jack is running around in the AFL.
Sydney Swans games record holder, Michael O’Loughlin, said the Paul Kelly Cup will be a fantastic experience for all the players involved.
“I remember playing in school competitions when I was growing up in South Australia and they’re the best times of your life,” O’Loughlin said.
“It’s so much fun spending time with your friends and playing the best game in the world.
“The Paul Kelly Cup is one of the biggest competitions in Australia and it is only getting bigger with interest in the game growing in NSW/ACT.
“I look forward to going out to the Paul Kelly Cup and seeing the kids having fun and enjoying their time playing AFL.
“You never know but we may even find the next Kieren Jack playing at the event.”
The opening day of the Paul Kelly Cup state final on September 6 will see the girls battle it out in their three pools before progressing through to the grand final.
While September 7 will see the boys vie for the Cup with the six winning schools from their respective pools progressing through to a qualifying, semi and then grand final.