Bill Turner Cup fosters fun

With over 500 Australian schools competing each year, the Bill Turner Cup is one of the world’s largest team sport competitions. This translates to about 8000 players of 15 years and under who have come from NSW, Queensland, ACT and Victoria

When St John’s College Woodlawn made it to the prestigious quarter finals, the entire college turned out to cheer on their fellow students. The match, played on Tuesday, August 17, was an exhilarating affair. Woodlawn’s opponents were the much-heralded winners of last year’s competition, Bossley Park High School from Sydney.

This knockout-style competition is in its 32nd year, and is renowned for the fostering of fun and fair play. This match certainly endorsed that reputation. Although the locals lost two goals to nil, there was much for the crowd to enjoy. Woodlawn’s best player was Patrick Kable (U15 NSW squad rep) followed closely by Kurt Walker and Jayden Walker (U14 Australian squad member).

To reach the quarter finals, Woodlawn had a 7-1 victory over arch rivals Trinity College, a 2-1 victory in the Area Finals over Mount Saint Pats Murwillumbah, a 5-0 win over New England winners Oxley High, and an impressive 4-1 win over Hunter Sports College in the round of 16. Other quarter finalists include Cairns High, Cavendish Road (QLD champs), Westfield Sports High, and Lyneham High (ACT).

Congratulations are extended to the Woodlawn team and to their coach Mr Jake Roff, and of course to the victors, Bossley Park. This match and the lead-up Bill Turner Cup matches have done much to foster the sport of football (soccer) in our local area. It was a fine promotion for sportsmanship at the school level.