Swans Cup Gala Days a success
Tuesday May 7 saw six schools from the Coffs Harbour region play at Leisure Park in the Under-16s division, including the first team ever from Bishop Druitt College, a local private school who has been working with AFLNC to promote football amongst their students.
Bishop Druitt College pushed Toormina High School all the way in a hard fought semi final, but ultimately fell just short. Toormina HS went on to comfortably beat Orara High School in the Grand Final and will progress to the regional final on Wednesday June 5.
Four schools from the Clarence Valley then converged on Grafton’s Ellem Oval on Wednesday May 8 to compete in both the Under-14s and Under-16s divisions of the Swans Cup.
In a fantastic occasion for all involved, the Grafton Tigers managed to unearth some talented recruits for their new Under-15s team, which now competes in the AFLNC Junior competition.
Grafton High School’s Under-14s team will progress to the regional final, whilst their Under-16s team was gallant in defeat to Maclean High School, a side consisting of a number of players from the AFLNC junior club the Lower Clarence Eagles.
North Coast development staff had a well earned rest on Thursday before the Coffs Harbour Under-14s gala day on Friday May 10, again held at Leisure Park. On a glorious day, the four participating schools were evenly matched, with the undefeated Coffs Harbour High School looking like the team to beat after the early pool games.
John Paul College showed great improvement during the day and beat Coffs Harbour HS in the Grand Final to progress to the regional finals in early June.
Toormina HS and Maclean HS will contest the Under-16s regional finals at Leisure Park on Wednesday June 5, while Grafton HS, John Paul College and Tamworth’s McCarthy College will do battle on the same day in the Under-14s competition.
The day will also see numerous schools take part in an Under-15s girls competition. Three schools have already entered teams, while AFL NSW/ACT development staff are helping two other schools form teams in preparation for the event.
