It has unearthed the likes of current Matildas Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord and Ellie Carpenter and Hunter’s national representatives Gema Simon and Hannah Brewer.
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And next week, the next crop of talent will emerge when the 2016 Bill Turner Cup and Trophy finals are contested at Lake Macquarie Football facility, Speers Point.
The High Schools’ 15-years-and-under knockout football tournament kicked off in term two with around 800 schools teams, 400 boys and 400 girls, from Cairns to Melbourne competing.
Since the competition began in 1991, Hunter Sports High have won the girls’ competition, the Bill Turner Trophy, five times. They were three-time consecutive champions between 2005-2007 then won again in 2011 and 2013. They were beaten grand finalists in 2014 then finished third last year.
Only Westfields Sports High has won the schoolgirls’ trophy more times. They are the defending champions but are already out this season.
Hunter Sports progressed to the finals series with a 1-1 (6-5) win over Trinity Catholic College, Lismore in Coffs Harbour last week.
Goalkeeper Ruby Jones proved the matchwinner, saving a penalty then slotting one to gift Hunter Sports victory.
Jones is one of three shot-stoppers in the squad. Regular starter Annie Grove missed the match as she is in Vietnam with the Australian under-17 squad.
The top-four sides in both the girls’ and boys’ competitions will do battle next Tuesday and Wednesday at Speers Point.
Hunter Sports play Cavendish Road Sports High in their semi-final on Tuesday.
- Edgeworth and Broadmeadow will meet in the National Premier League grand final at Magic Park this Sunday after both won their two-legged semi-finals. Edgeworth beat Maitland 4-3 on aggregate and Broadmeadow defeated Hamilton 5-2 overall. The grand final kicks off at 2.30pm.
