The Dyldam Parramatta Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur and Eels legend Luke Burt along with several youth representatives were surprise guests at the Rouse Hill Public School League Tag Competition Grand Final held on Wednesday 10 December 2014.
Arthur and Burt took part in the All Stars Adults vs Students game, and their competitiveness shone through from the get go. The pair discussed tactics and were vocal as they led the team around the park, but despite their experience and enthusiasm, the Students claimed a 7-6 victory on the buzzer in a tightly contested affair.
The Rouse Hill PS League Tag Competition was held throughout Term 4, with over 160 students from years 4-6 participating, which was a overwhelming success said Assistant Principal Leslie Shipley.
“Amazing result. We knew it was always going to be close!” Shipley said.
“We have such talented students, it was an upset definitely. With our special guests, Brad Arthur and Luke Burt, which we didn’t tell them about, I thought we (the All Stars Adults) had it on the kids but once again their skills came out and they shone!”
“I expect nothing other than the effort that Brad Arthur, Luke Burt and the Dyldam Parramatta Eels representative players put in! It was amazing! We have competitive kids so for me it was the perfect ending!”
The League Tag tournament, was a new initiate from the Rouse Hill Public School that engaged it’s students through sport whilst also teaching them key principles linked to their school syllabus.
“League Tag was an initiative that we decided to put together to really assist our students, particularly our Year 6 boys in terms of leadership” Shipley said.
“The competition gives our students them an opportunity to understand and grow as a leader and also what’s involved around responsibility and management.”
“The best way to do that was sport and through our affiliation with Ben Jack (NRL Game Development Officer), we thought that League tag was going to be the safest but also the easiest and the best way to engage our students and it really has been a success”
The competition was an overwhelming success for Rouse Hill Public School as they saw substantial growth and interest from students, staff and the community as the Term and competition progressed.
“We have been overwhelmed with the response!” Shipley exclaimed.
“Our program was that we would have 4 games per week which we started in Week One of Term Four and we have come to the Grand Final today. 160 students involved in the games and we had hundreds of other students coming to watch the games each week!”
“The response from the students and the community has been amazing. The parents have loved it aswell!”
