More than 120 primary students gathered at Blakehurst, vying to represent the Sydney Archdiocesan rugby league team at the MacKillop trials in late April.
Some impressive tries, hard hitting tackles and skills were there for not only the selectors to see, but also parents who could be heard in full voice on the sidelines at Todd Park on Wednesday 17 March.
Coach and selector for the Open’s Boys team, Adam Bowmaker, said he was impressed with what he saw, adding it was difficult to select a squad.
“The event continues to grow every year and the quality on show is consistently improving,” Bowmaker said.
Event convenor Donna Smith echoed Bowmaker’s words.
“The day has gone well,” said Smith. “We’re so happy with the weather, which was our biggest concern before the day started.”
“The talent has been outstanding and the selectors have been pushing to get the best talent we can” – Donna Smith
Among those trialling for spots in the Under 11’s Team were four girls. Impressively, two of the four gained selection – Cobi Ryan-Last from St Michael’s Primary School Daceyville and Ruby Seitula from Christ The King Catholic Primary School Bass Hill.
“Exceptional to have the girls here and they’ve really matched it and kept up with the boys,” Smith said.
Chosen athletes will now move onto the MacKillop Trials in Canberra on Friday 30 April.
Sydney Archdiocesan Under 11’s Team:
- Christ the King Bass Hill – Ruby Seitula
- Christian Brothers Lewisham – Patrick McMahon
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mount Prichard – Deon Haynes
- Regina Coeli Beverly Hills – Jayden Tuione
- Regina Coeli Beverly Hills – Damien Taufateau
- St Aloysius Cronulla – Flynn Coady
- St Andrew’s Malabar – Luka Cavlovic
- St Bernard’s Botany – Aholelei (Junior) Pohiva
- St Francis Xavier’s Lurnea – Sesefo Katoa
- St Gertrude’s Smithfield – Dominic Ters
- St Jerome’s Punchbowl – Dontae Siofele
- St Joseph’s Como-Oyster Bay – William Telford
- St Joseph’s Como-Oyster Bay – Randy Ennis
- St Mary-St Joseph’s Maroubra – Billy Beetson
- St Mary-St Joseph’s Maroubra – Kai Guarino
- St Mel’s Campsie – Justin Kazzi
- St Michael’s Daceyville – Cobi Ryan-Last
Sydney Archdiocesan Open’s Team:
- Holy Family Menai – Alex Cairoli
- Holy Spirit Carnes Hill – Isaac Nio
- Our Lady of Fatima Caringbah – William Best
- Our Lady of Fatima Caringbah – Ziggy Hughes
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mount Pritchard – Simon Peter Luamanuvae
- Our Lady of the Rosary Fairfield – Filipolio Funa
- Sacred Heart Cabramatta – Lolouta Leatuafi Mose
- St Aiden’s Maroubra Junction – Syd Israel
- St Andrew’s Malabar – Nate Sinkovic
- St Brigid’s Coogee – Sam Patterson
- St Catherine Laboure Gymea – Aaron Iona
- St Charles Ryde – Jay Kilby
- St Francis Xavier Lurnea – Caden Burns
- St Joseph’s Como-Oyster Bay – Tyler Bowron
- St Margaret Mary’s Randwick North – Jackson Gray
- St Mary’s Georges Hall – Michael Psirakis
- St Mary-St Joseph’s Maroubra – Dylan Kennedy
By: NIKOLA POZDER
ABOUT SPORT
Rugby league is one of 16 representative pathway sports offered to primary school students at Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS).
“Sydney Catholic Schools is proud to provide our students with the fundamental skills in a variety of sports and the opportunities to trial and represent at a state and national level,” Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, said.
“This includes instilling core values of discipline, teamwork, respect, integrity and fair play in our young sporting stars.
“At Sydney Catholic Schools, we believe sport is for everybody, from our elite athletes to students who have a love of sport.
“Besides being fun, sport can help kids perform better in school, relax more and worry less.
“Sport also teaches students valuable lessons in working with others and how to be gracious in defeat.”
SCS offers students a pathway to higher representative sport, starting with school trials, moving through to zone, conference, and inter-Diocesan levels and, finally, progressing to state and national competitions.
