Four girls and two boys from the school were selected in the NSW team competing in the U15 All Schools National Championships on the Sunshine Coast in July.

The students, Tess Staines, Grace Leedes, Elouise Barlow, Paris Crelley, Dale Quilter and George Sandral were picked from 200 hopefuls at the NSW All Schools AFL championships in Albury in June.

The girls said they had been impressed with the tournament experience and skill level of their opponents, with 14-year-old Tess saying the tough competition had been an eye opener.

“They all live and breathe AFL, whereas we are mainly more of a rugby league area,” she said. “But it was good and we learned that what is done is done as a team, but it was pretty hot up there which was tough.”

The girls were hopeful that following their state selection success a female Leeton AFL team could eventuate.

“I think we would all like to see a girl’s team,” 14-year-old Elouise said. “There is not really an opportunity to play here and it was pretty good that we got to go.”

St Francis representative, 15-year-old George, was named captain of the boys NSW side and said the experience had been a learning curve for all involved.

Team mate Dale Quilter, also 15, agreed they had benefited from great coaching during the tournament.

“It was a harder level of football and we saw some really good players,” he said. “We learned the importance of team work while there, and not to be about me, me, me.”