27 years and counting for Paul Kelly Cup

The cup itself is a massive event for primary school students across NSW and ACT.

The competition, named for AFL Hall of Famer and NSW Hall of Champions Legend, Paul Kelly, was first run in 1997 and is in its 27th edition, more than two decades after the Champion Swan’s retirement.

The competition is the biggest Australian rules knock-out competition for primary school students in Australia, with almost 10,000 young footballers participating last year.

Here in Deniliquin, schools compete in three sections, with boys, girls and mixed teams playing modified AFL rules.

Most of the students playing were in Year 5 or 6.

Deniliquin South School had 41 students participate, across the girls, boys and non-competitive mixed team.

Edward School and St Michael’s also presented boys and girls sides, while Deni North played in the mixed games only.

Adding to the pool of challengers were teams from St Joseph’s Finley, St Joseph’s Jerilderie and Hay Public School.

In the girls competitive pool, Deni South came out on top from five sides, with a perfect record of four wins from four played.

In both of the boys’ competitive pools, four teams played in Pool A and four in Pool B.

Leaders of Pool A were South school, while St Michael’s took out Pool B.

Both sides finished with a perfect, three wins from three played.

The winners now progress to a regional competition, with a date and venue yet to be confirmed.