ONE of Australia’s most treasured sporting stages awaits the Holy Family girls’ side when they contest the Paul Kelly Cup State Final at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.
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The girls have made the last eight teams from across NSW, qualifying for the competition final after taking out the Sydney West and Sydney South West regional finals at Blacktown in May.
The school’s side, coached by teacher Joe Pucci, are yet to lose a match throughout the competition.
The team played five matches at Blacktown and scored 148 points while letting just 12 points, from only two goals, go through their own sticks.
Holy Family principal Kevin Arrow says the side’s formidable record will be put to the test.
“It’s quite a big deal for the girls and the parents who will be going there and taking their kids to the SCG – especially with the redevelopments that have been going on there, it’s going to be a great experience,” he said.
“The unique thing about this group is that they haven’t lost a game yet at any level. They’re just a good group of all-rounders with soccer players, netball players and hockey players who have all just come together to play some AFL.”
The girls will open their day with a match against Henschke Primary School at 10.30am before returning an hour later for back-to-back games with Cobargo and Kings Langley primary schools.
The top two from both the pools will progress on to the afternoon’s semi-finals.
Arrow attributes the success of the Holy Family side – and the sport in general at the school – to the AFL administration’s increasing awareness of the sport in the Central West.
“What’s been happening in recent years is the AFL has been really strong with its school promotions and has been very keen to increase that promotion,” he said.
“A lot of it has been about promoting the healthy lifestyle side of it and getting the kids active. With all that school development in recent years, the participation is right up, and I’m sure Monday is going to be a very high standard of AFL.”