The Assumption School wins PKC
The Assumption School, Bathurst has become the first school from the Central West to win the Paul Kelly Cup state final taking out the girls’ title on Tuesday.
In sunny conditions at Blacktown International Sportspark, The Assumption School defeated Coogee South Public School 3.4 (22) to 1.2 (8).
It is a fantastic achievement for the team from Bathurst with a number of the girls playing in their first ever AFL school competition.
“No, I never thought we would win [the Paul Kelly Cup],” coach Karen Smith said.
“I was hoping we’d come down and not be humiliated and that we’d give the teams a good run for their money.
“We won the first two games and we felt quite confident and the day progressed from there.
“We played fantastically today.”
Last month, the GWS GIANTS visited the Central West where they ran school clinics, tested talented locals at AFL Combines and met their supporters.
Smith said the visit has helped to grow interest in the game at the school and community level.
“Kevin Sheedy actually came to our school and the kids are now a lot more involved in AFL because of that,” she said.
“AFL’s becoming a lot stronger in the Central West. There are a lot of sports competing but increasingly you’ll find that there are kids at the primary school level who will now play AFL.
“We’ll be very excited going to school tomorrow. We have a group of very competitive year 6 boys coming tomorrow to play in the boys competition and they quite fancy themselves as footballers. So for us to go back as winners is very exciting.
“I’m sure the girls will have bragging rights for a few weeks now.”
This year’s Paul Kelly Cup has included over 15,000 participants from 980 teams as they battled it out to progress through to the state girls and boys finals.
The event has quickly become one of the largest primary school based competitions in Australia and has even been used as a potential talent pool for AFL clubs with Sydney Swans midfielder Kieren Jack being discovered playing in the competition.
AFL NSW/ACT Schools and Universities Coordinator Mark Ayers said it was a successful start to the two-day event.
“It was fantastic to see so many students take part in this year’s girls event and the number of teams grow from the inaugural Cup last year,” Ayers said.
“The opening day of the Paul Kelly Cup was a huge success and it looked as though all of the girls had an enjoyable time.
“I look forward to next year and seeing the competition grow even further.”
The Paul Kelly Cup boys final will be played on Wednesday, September 7 at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Pool games
Telarah 38 def Yowie Bay 7
Killarney Heights 7 drew St Josephs 7
Telarah 35 def Killarney Heights 21
St Josephs 14 def Yowie Bay 7
Killarney Heights 16 def Yowie Bay 7
St Josephs 19 def Telarah 13
Bateau Bay 16 def Dapto 15
South Coogee 20 def Lilli Pilli 15
Lilli Pilli 41 def Bateau Bay 8
South Coogee 13 def Dapto 10
Lilli Pilli 20 def Dapto 8
South Coogee 28 def Bateau Bay 10
Kings Langley 8 def Kellyville Ridge 1
Finley 14 def Illaroo 0
Finley 7 drew Kellyville Ridge 7
Illaroo 15 def Kings Langley 1
Kings Langley 20 def Finley 18
Kellyville Ridge 15 def Illaroo 1
Camden South 20 def Parkview 0
The Assumption School 40 def St John The Apostle 1
Camden South 20 def St John The Apostle 10
The Assumption School 41 def Parkview 0
Parkview 10 drew St John The Apostle 10
Camden South 12 def The Assumption School 8
Quarter-finals
Camden South 32 def Finley 1
The Assumption School 44 def Kings Langley 18
St Josephs 14 def Lilli Pilli 13
South Coogee 15 def Telarah 12
Semi-finals
South Coogee 38 def St Josephs 15
The Assumption School 16 def Camden South 7
Grand final
The Assumption School 22 def Coogee South 8