On Wednesday, June 14 (High Schools) and Thursday, June 15 (Primary Schools) we celebrate 75 years of school rugby league on the Illawarra and South Coast.
Once again the strength of Dragons Community and NRL Development have join forces in delivering one of the state’s biggest school rugby league events.
Next week is the culmination of 21 gala days with the winners from the Under-9s to Open Secondary, coming together to compete for the title and take back to school their respective shields.
Numbers at a Glance
Schools competed: 118 No. of teams: 527 No. of participants: 5965
Shields
Primary Secondary
Paul McGregor Shield (9s/10s) Shaun Timmins Shield (13s)
Rod Wishart Shield (11s/12s) Steelers Shield (14s)
League Tag (Secondary) Ben Creagh Shield (15s)
Under 14s League Tag Dean Young Shield (16s)
Under 16s League Tag Ben Hornby Shield (Opens)
Participating schools extend from Helensburgh in the north to Pambula in the south. District winners from the Southern Tablelands will travel down the mountain and join us as well.
A total of 527 teams, 5965 players from 118 schools proudly supported their school colours and values in these competitions. These are record numbers.
Dragons Community Manager Paul Everill said: "This is one of our biggest events on the calendar. Many of our current NRL squad have been part of this special event, having fond memories representing their local high schools.
"The event emphasises the importance of fair play and sportsmanship, which our schools proudly display and take carriage of."
"I loved my school footy. In primary school I represented St Peter & Paul Kiama and then Kiama High School. There is something special about representing your school. They were great times and great fun" – Dragons back-rower Tariq Sims
The Dragons' nursery continues to provide the sport with an abundance of talent. Over the past few years, the NRL has had more Dragons juniors playing in the NRL first grade competition than any other club.
Not too long ago the current home-grown Illawarra / South Coast Dragons were themselves playing in these carnivals.
These include: Tyson Frizell, Drew Hutchison, Euan Aitken, Jai Field, Blake Lawrie and Tariq Sims and Dragons coaching staff: Paul McGregor, Dean Young and Ben Hornby all remember fondly their school carnival days as well.
Wednesday, 14th June
Event – Southern NSW Secondary Championship
Venue – Croom Rd, Albion Park
Schools in Finals – Edmund Rice College, Bulli High, Figtree High, Holy Spirit College, Illawarra Sports High, Kiama High, Warilla High, Vincentia High, Carrol College, Moruya High, Bomaderry High, Lumen Christi Pambula, Narooma High, Bowral High, Camden High, Picton High and Karabar High
FINALS
Ben Creagh Shield – 11am Shaun Timmins Shield – 11:45am Dean Young Shield – 12:30pm Steelers Shield – 1:15pm Ben Hornby Shield – 1:50pm
Thursday, 15th June
Event – Illawarra / South Coast All School Primary Carnival
Venue – Croom Rd, Albion Park
Schools in Finals – Port Kembla PS, St Michael’s Thirroul, Berry PS, Sussex Inlet PS, Gerringong PS, Shellharbour PS, Unanderra PS, Russell Vale PS, Ss Peter & Paul Kiama, Lindsay Park PS, Shell Cove PS, Nowra East PS, Dapto PS, Coledale PS, Huskisson PS and Good Samaritan Fairy Meadow
All Finals between 1:40 and 2:20pm
For more information please contact:
Paul Everill
Dragons Community
0412 320 016
Jono Dallas
NRL Development
0407 069 757
Matt O'Brien
NRL Development
0417 547 125
