KIDS from Gravesend Public School are in Sydney this week competing in the PSSA State Small Schools Knockout Competition in two sports – touch football and netball.
Incredibly, the tiny school earned a shot at the state titles in both after progressing to the quarter-finals when the knock-out started in June.
On Wednesday afternoon, the squad, coached by Amber Barnett and Kay Rolfe, made it to the touch football final against Illabo Public School, and left the field pumped and proud despite losing 13-5 against an in-form Riverina outfit.
Amber Barnett said the Gravo kids – now ranked No.2 in New South Wales in the small schools touch footy division – did their school and community proud to get so far in the statewide competition.
“I’m incredibly proud of their sportsmanship when winning and when losing,” Mrs Barnett said.
“They showed true grit and determination all day. Illabo was an in-form team and looked like a dominant threat all day in the quarter- and semi-finals.
“Our kids, although beaten, played a well fought-out, hard 40 minutes of fast touch,” she said.
Such is the size of Gravesend Public School, just about every child that played in Wednesday’s final will back up today and tackle the netball quarter-finals.
Mrs Barnett said every player excelled on the touch field on Wednesday – some players had never picked up a football until earlier this year.
Every player, ranging in ages from eight to 12, played for each other as well as their school and close-knit community.
“Lottie can read the play and is strong in defence and attack, and Flo is very determined. She works hard and supports her team-mates,” Mrs Barnett said.
“Cybelle is one of the hardest workers in training and is consistent in defence and attack – a real asset to the team – and Hunter takes everything on board and tries hard for his team. He’s improved immensely in ball skills and defence.
“Dougal is a fast-running, attacking player able to find space and Cate is always there. She knows how to side-step,” she said.
“Miaah is strong in defence and there with plenty of grunt when it’s needed and Annabelle is the most-improved player. She works her heart out on and off the field.
“Thomas is a workhorse and solid in defence and attack every game. He can read the play and Makiitah always brings her A-game.
“Emily is a top player and brings energy and direction to the team and Islah has elusive speed and determination – she covered more ground than Phar Lap,” Mrs Barnett smiled.
“Maggie, our team captain, shows strong leadership when winning and losing, on and off the field, and that’s an integral part of any sporting team.”
The kids from Gravesend Public School today Risk Public School in the netball quarter-finals, with the semi-finals and final also decided this afternoon.
Watch this space!
