BUCKLE fractures to two key players and the forced departure of another didn’t help Gravesend Public School’s sports stars as they tried their heart out in the NSWPSSA Small Schools Netball Knockout Competition in Sydney last Thursday.
Nine Gravesend kids played netball and touch football – not bad, given the school roster totals only 21 students.
Gravesend were beaten by Rous Public School, Millfield Public School and Boolaroo Public School in in a competition that saw small schools from across New South Wales compete.
Teacher and coach, Chelsea Buggy, said the Gravo kids, fresh from their No.2 ranking in small schools touch football the day before, were far from disgraced.
“Going up against schools with up to 100 students was a big effort for a small school of only 21 students, with only 10 of those being Year 3-6 students,” Chelsea said.
“Gravo knew it was going to be a battle from the get-go, but they pulled up their socks and took the court with their school motto, Always Our Best, ringing proudly.”
Gravo’s first game was against Rous Public School, and they were ultimately beaten, 27-5.
“The students went so hard and fast that by the end of the first quarter of the first game they had two of their players out with fractured wrists,” Chelsea said.
The Gravo kids, fresh from their No.2 ranking in small schools touch football, were far from disgraced in the netball knockout last Thursday.
With one of their shooters and defence players out and another team-mate having to leave prematurely, the Gravo kids licked their wounds and came together for their second match against Millfield Public School.
“Even though they were down three players, they still managed to get some points on the board,” Chelsea said.
“By the final match, our team was exhausted but they managed to push through it with true Gravo grunt.
“They managed to score quite a few points against Boolaroo Public School, unfortunately marginally missing out on the win.”
Chelsea said the past few months had been full-on for kids, staff and parents at Gravesend Public School.
“After boarding school transition visits, the week-long Canberra excursion, a few days of exploring the big smoke of Sydney and the Small Schools Touch Football Knockout day, Gravesend students backed up and competed in the State Netball Knockouts with the other top schools in the state,” she said.
Chelsea said the squad returned home proud as punch with their efforts.
“For a small school of 21 students in the middle of nowhere, we think eighth in the whole of New South Wales is a pretty great spot to be in,” she smiled.
“We are very proud of our school, our families and our community for the endless opportunities and support they provide our students.”
