THEY are powerhouse teams in the Group Seven competition. And the success of Gerringong and Warilla extended to the Illawarra and South Coast schools competition, after two days of competition at Albion Park.
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It was the 75th year of junior school age competition in the region, with 21 gala days held before the the high school finals were held on Wednesday and primary pupils on Thursday.
Warilla was the standout school among the high school divisions, winning the under 15 Ben Creagh Shield, as well as the two girls league tag competitions.
However, Figtree, Edmund Rice, Holy Spirit and Kiama also took away silverware.
In the primary finals, Gerringong were success in the Paul McGregor and Rod Wishart shields, beating Nowra East and Unanderra in the finals.
The Lions are the reigning premiers in the Group Seven first grade competition.
All the trophies are named after former Steelers and Dragons greats, including the Shaun Timmins Shield (under 13s), Steelers Shield (14s), Ben Creagh (15s), Dean Young (16s) and Ben Hornby (seniors), as well as league tag competitions and primary school Rod Wishart (11-12s) and Paul McGregor (9-10s). “I loved my school footy. In primary school I represented St Peter and Paul, Kiama and then Kiama High School,” Dragons forward Tariq Sims said.
“There is something special about representing your school. They were great times and great fun."
A record 527 teams and 5965 players from 118 schools played in the competition this year.
Teams from as far as Moruya, Narooma and Pambula, as well as Nowra, Bomaderry, Sussex Inlet, Huskisson, Dapto, Shell Cove, Russell Vale, Picton and Bowral were involved.
“This is one of our biggest events on the calendar,” Dragons community manager Paul Everill said.
“Many of our current NRL squad have been part of this special event, having fond memories representing their local high schools.
- ILLAWARRA AND SOUTH COAST SCHOOL AGE
High school finals
Ben Hornby Shield (open age): Figtree 26 d Carroll College 8. Dean Young Shield (under 16): Edmund Rice College 20 d Narooma 0
Ben Creagh Shield (under 15): Warilla 14 d Picton 12
Steelers Shield (under 14): Holy Spirit 6 d Bowral 0
Shaun Timmins Shield (under 13): Kiama 22 d Edmund Rice College 4
Girls league tag
Under 14: Warilla 44 d Carroll College 0
Under 16: Warilla 38 d Bomaderry 6
Primary school finals
Rod Wishart Shield (under 11-12): Gerringong 36 d Unanderra 6
Paul McGregor Shield (under 9-10): Gerringong 14 d Nowra East 6
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
