While the boys took home the trophies in the various age group categories the girls also enjoyed some rugby league fun at the Sharks All Schools championships for 2015.
Winners were decided in the 13’s, 14’s, 15’s and 16’s age groups but it was three schools, providing four different teams in two age divisions, that attracted plenty of attention.
The girls from Heathcote and Cronulla High did battle in the under 16’s, while Cronulla and Port Hacking High faced off in the 14’s, with as the saying goes, “rugby league was the winner.”
“We’ve run girls gala days in the past but they have never been involved in the 'All schools' where the games are showcased in front of a large number of other teams and parents,” said Huw Ellis, the Sharks National Rugby League Development Officer.
“I strongly believe the growth in the girls comp has been due to the profile the sport now had amongst the girls as a result of the Jillaroos, which filters down to the grass roots. The girls, numbers and teachers support has always been present in school clinics we have run however contact has always been the responsibility of teachers.
“The focus to push the girls division harder than ever comes from the boys divisions near saturation point and the attraction the sport has with the girls because of the Jillaroos becomes a real growth opportunity for the game.
“The standard was of a high level as well and we were all impressed with some stand out players from both age groups,” Ellis added.
As for the boys, De La Salle won the 15’s a week ago before enjoying a 14-0 win over Woolooware in the under 16’s Sharks All Schools final, while Aquinas College came out on top in the 14’s and on the High School Open GIO Schoolboy Trophy age division.
In the 13’s it was St Patricks College at Sutherland emerging as the champions.
The various winners will now move on to play in the NSW All Schools finals on Tuesday the 28th of July at St Mary's.
