The 2018 Primary Schools Diocesan Sports Gala Day was run again in Inverell attracting teams from Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree, Narrabri, Tenterfield, Armidale, Guyra, Manilla, Barraba, Wee Waa, Inverell and Glen Innes.

Sports that were represented on the day included rugby league, netball and soccer. St Joseph’s Glen Innes had representation in all of these sports but it was the soccer that managed to enter three teams in the juniors – Glen Innes red, Glen Innes green and Glen Innes blue – and two teams in the open – Glen Innes red and Glen Innes blue – clearly proving to be very popular this year.  

All these teams played extremely well and their sportsmanship was commendable under what were at times, challenging conditions.

There was a junior and an open team representing St Joseph’s Glen Innes in the rugby league. 

The open team unfortunately didn’t qualify for the semi-finals but finished a very respectable 3rd but the junior team fought their way to the finals where they faced a tough undefeated Inverell side that were just too strong and they left with runners up medals which was a fantastic effort!

St Josephs also had both divisions represented in netball. 

The juniors played well but didn’t quite get to the semis.

In the open division, it was neck-and-neck in the semi-finals between Glen Innes and St Michael’s Manilla where the game went to an exciting golden point. 

Unfortunately Glen Innes was defeated and they also left the competition with a very respectable third place.

The junior soccer competition was very well represented with a total of 20 teams entering from many other schools, making it a toughly contested event. 

All St Joseph’s junior soccer teams fought hard and had a lot of fun but unfortunately didn’t get the opportunity to compete in the semi-finals.

In the open division, a total of 12 teams competed, two of which were from St Josephs, Glen Innes. 

Again, it was another tough competition and both teams played against some well trained and much larger schools.  

Glen Innes blue played some steady and competitive soccer and never gave up but unfortunately they were eliminated after the rounds which ended their chance to play in the semi-finals.

Glen Innes red however gained a place in the semi-finals after winning several tough and low scoring games. 

Their team work only improved as the day progressed and their enthusiasm to win increased also, making them a serious contender. 

During the day they only conceded  one goal and netted eight, proving their defensive game was as solid as their attacking one. 

The fact they also played with no subs all day started to show in the gusty semi-final against Inverell but the sheer heart, drive and class of these kids proved to be the winning formula. 

They just never gave up either, ending in defeating last year’s premiers South Tamworth in a riveting 2-0 win in the grand final.

“I just think the competition didn’t quite know what they were up against when our team took the field,” coach Nerida Hansen said. 

“Although they are all individually good players they had very little time together to play as a team. 

“This made it all the more special to me as a coach to encourage, mentor and support them and to see them achieve such an amazing outcome and witness the joy on their faces in doing so. 

“They nicknamed themselves the ‘rubber ducks’, don’t really know why but I saw them as the ‘Mighty Ducks’ as they now also go down in the St Joseph’s Glen Innes history books as the first team to ever win a soccer competition in the history of the school.

“What a fantastic result for this small school and for the future of soccer in Glen Innes.”