On Tuesday, May 28th, and Wednesday, May 29th, I had the honour of representing St Francis Catholic College and the Wollongong Diocese at the NSWCCC Opens Football Championships. My journey to the championship team began with a trial in Wollongong on Friday, May 17th, alongside a few fellow St Francis students.

The excitement kicked off as we arrived at Valentine Sports Park on the first day. We were well-prepared and ready for our two opening matches. Winning both games set a positive tone for the rest of the tournament, and it was a great opportunity to bond with my teammates, who were fantastic both on and off the pitch. The camaraderie continued to build over dinner that evening, and we returned to our rooms with anticipation for the following day.

Our momentum carried us through the next morning, where we won two more games, securing our spot in the finals. The final match was a challenging 40 minutes, but our determination paid off as we triumphed with a 4-1 victory, remaining undefeated champions.

This unforgettable experience was a privilege, and I am incredibly proud to have represented St Francis Catholic College while playing for the Wollongong team. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mrs Pavlovich and our coaches for making this incredible opportunity possible!

Arnav M Year 11