Ballina Public School crowned joint rugby league champions

BALLINA Public School was crowned joint state rugby league champion after taking on Mount Terry in the NSW Primary School Sports Association Classic Shield grand final at Cessnock.

The teams shared the title after they were locked at six-all following the 40-minute final.

It was a major result for Ballina Public which fielded one of the strongest rugby league teams to come out of the school in the last 25 years.

Mary Cameron coached the team, which was littered with talent across the squad of 20 and is also the school sports coordinator.

“It’s huge for us; I’ve been the sport coordinator for 18 years and we haven’t had a team go to state for anything,” she said.

“We have some standout players and they all shone at different times, which really helped the team.

“The whole team excelled with their communication, skill and sportsmanship. Without that you’re not going to have a successful team.”

Five-eighth Tyrone Kelly, lock Ava Roberts and second-rower Aseli Mamata-Cook played well throughout the campaign.

Individually, Tyrone has been part of a state team and is the nephew of Gold Coast Titans NRL player Brian Kelly.

The team was undefeated after winning four games at the local gala day and continued to impress on its way to the final

“There were a few family connections throughout the team and the whole school stopped to watch the grand final game on livestream,” Cameron said.

“We had a short turnaround of only 10 days after playing at Port Macquarie.

“We were lucky to have an amazing group of parents who came on board with fundraising efforts to help us get [to Cessnock].”