An under-20’s competition that also allows for an allocation of over-age player to compete, will be the curtain-raiser to the Sharks v Broncos NRL clash at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday.
The Aquinas Colts and St Joseph's teams will face off in the local Cronulla Sutherland District Junior League Emerging Cup match up in a game where talented locals get the opportunity to showcase their skills on the big stage.
The Colts, who sit second on the Emerging Cup ladder, just a point behind the Engadine Dragons, play a Joeys side looking to consolidate fourth position just four weeks out from finals.
Both teams come into the contest with winning form on the board, Aquinas having beaten Gymea 30-0 at their last start and St Josephs on the back of a narrow win over Como.
The Emerging Cup was instigated in 2016 to ensure the survival of the local under 20’s competition due to falling numbers.
A core group of the stronger clubs were able to field under-20’s teams, but understandably weren’t prepared to play in a four-team competition.
Cronulla-Sutherland District Junior League Chairman Nathan Waugh sat down with members of the executive and put forward a concept idea, calling it the Emerging Cup, with the plan for an under 20’s competition that allowed older players to compete via a points system which took into account, weight, age and previous experience overall and at an open age level.
“It didn’t take long for clubs to find additional players that could still fit inside the points cap, which provided enough depth now for six clubs to field sides and thus keeping our under 20’s competition alive,” Waugh said.
“It’s in its fourth year now and as strong as ever with the six clubs still actively competing every week.
“The 20-year-old age bracket has dwindled in many other competitions within NSW but ours has held strong due to the Emerging Cup in the Cronulla District and we are proud of our unique competition,” Waugh added.
The Aquinas v St Joseph’s fixture is scheduled to get underway at 1.45pm on Sunday at PointsBet Stadium, with the Sharks and Broncos to follow in a round 16 NRL match up at 4.05pm.
For fans and supporters of both clubs, discounted group tickets (15 or more tickets in one transaction), are available via Ticketek – CLICK HERE – to purchase
Team lists for both Aquinas and St Josephs are below.
St Joseph’s
1 - Tom Dearsley
2 - Jayden Mulhane
3 – Jacob De laVega
4 - Zack Taylor
5 – Connor Levings
6 – Christian Ward
7 – Lochie Jamieson
8 – Alec Brennan
9 – Ben Foster
10 – Harry Knight
11 – Mick Wurtz
12 – Alex Horwood
13 – Sean Beavis
Interchange
14 – Harrison Apostolovski
15 – Tallis Fay
16 – Teirimana Whanga Katipa
17 – Ryan Hetherington
18 – Troy Loftus
19 – Harry Dickens
20 – Jaimyn Alchin-Howell
21 – Brad Rowe
Coach – Alex Jamieson
Manager – Stuart Gair
Aquinas Colts
1. Ethan Hicks
2. Mitchell Selwood
3. Michael Fahd
4. Joel Kingham
5. Liam Robinson
6. Dylan Chong Sun
7. Ben Hupton
8. Zane Jegers
9. Bailey Cantrill
22. Ranginui Noble
11. Dylan Xerri
12. Aaron Roll
13. Ryan Dodson
Interchange
14. Hayden Ebb
16. Jarryd Preston
17. Johnathan Nikolopoulos
18. Bailey Woods
19. Jasaiah Ah-Chong
21. Sam Coupland
23. Matt Azar
Coach - Sean Tabet
Manager - Brett O'Farrell
Trainers - Adam Rayes and Evan Wilson
