Netball/ Football Challenge

DIOCESAN FOOTBALL (SOCCER) CHALLENGE – 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 – RUSHFORTH PARK, SOUTH GRAFTON

ST JOSEPH’S PORT MACQUARIE GIRLS CROWNED INAUGURAL PAUL WILSON CUP CHAMPIONS

On Wednesday, 24th September, history was made with the first ever girls’ Paul Wilson Cup Final held in a gala day format. The event brought together the champion girls' soccer teams from each diocesan zone, creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere filled with school spirit and great football.

The four qualifying teams were:

St Joseph’s Primary, Port Macquarie (Hastings)
St Anthony’s Primary, Kingscliff (Tweed)
St Francis Xavier Primary, Woolgoolga (Clarence)
St Carthage’s Primary, Lismore (Richmond)

Blessed with perfect weather conditions, the day saw competitive matches played in great spirit. Every team gave their all, representing their schools with pride and enthusiasm.

In the third-place playoff, St Francis Xavier took on St Anthony’s, with the Clarence zone team earning third place honours after a strong performance.

The grand final featured a tough contest between St Joseph’s (Hastings) and St Carthage’s (Richmond). After an intense and skilful match, St Joseph’s came away with a 2–1 victory, maintaining an undefeated record throughout the day to claim the title of inaugural champions.

Congratulations to all players, coaches, and families involved. Your dedication and support in the lead-up and on the day made this event a great success. A special thank you to those who helped with preparation, coaching, and organisation to make this special day possible. Special thanks to Sam Taylor who convened this event . Thank you to Grafton Football and referees .

DIOCESAN FOOTBALL (SOCCER) CHALLENGE – 24 SEPTEMBER 2025– RUSHFORTH PARK, SOUTH GRAFTON

On September 24th, the 2025 Paul Wilson Cup was held at Rushforth Park in Grafton, bringing together four highly competitive teams from across the Diocese. Representing their respective zones were:

St. Finbarr’s Byron Bay (for Tweed)

St. Carthage’s (for Richmond)

St. James Yamba (for Clarence)

St. Peter’s Port Macquarie (for Hastings)

The tournament kicked off in thrilling fashion with a high-energy clash between St. Carthage’s and St. James. St. Carthage’s took early control, going into halftime with a 2–0 lead. However, St. James mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, levelling the score and pushing the game into extra time. With neither team able to break the deadlock, St. James advanced by winning on corners.

Next up, St. Finbarr’s and St. Peter’s delivered another evenly matched contest. Ultimately, St. Finbarr’s came out on top with a 4–2 victory, securing their place in the final.

In the third-place playoff, St. Peter’s rebounded strongly with a convincing 3–0 win over St. Carthage’s, claiming third place overall.

The grand final between St. James and St. Finbarr’s lived up to expectations, with a fast-paced start and both teams creating early chances. Just before the halftime whistle, St. Finbarr’s broke the deadlock to take a 1–0 lead. The second half mirrored the intensity of the first, but it was St. Finbarr’s who capitalised again, sealing the match with a second goal and securing the title of Paul Wilson Cup Champions for 2025.

All participating schools should be congratulated not only for the skill and talent they displayed throughout the tournament, but also for the outstanding sportsmanship that was evident across all games.

DIOCESAN NETBALL CHALLENGE – 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 GRAFTON

The Diocesan Netball Finals were held on the Wednesday the 24 of September at Westward Park Netball courts in Grafton.

Convened by Amie Clarke and hosted by the Grafton Netball Association, the four zone Champions were Tweed winners St James' Banora Point (defending champions), Richmond Champions St Carthage's Lismore, St Augustine's Coffs Harbour representing Clarence and Hastings Zone winners St Peter's Port Macquarie.

The tournament adopted a round-robin format, ensuring every team played three matches. The atmosphere was electric, with fierce regional pride driving the on-court intensity, and crowds proudly supporting their teams.

St Peter's and St Carthage's competed for 3rd position, with St Carthage's winning in a nail-biting 17 - 16.

St James secured a remarkable 21 - 15 victory over St Augustine's, taking home the Diocesan Netball Championship trophy for the second year in succession. The tournament was a massive success, highlighting the depth of netball talent across the diocese.

DIOCESAN FOOTBALL (SOCCER) CHALLENGE – 25 SEPTEMBER 2024 – RUSHFORTH PARK, SOUTH GRAFTON

The finals series of the Paul Wilson Cup (Football/Soccer) was held at Rushforth Park South Grafton on the 25 of September in unseasonably warm conditions. Once again Paddy Wilde convened the day which witnessed our 4 zone champion schools vying for the title.

The morning semi-final matches had St Francis Xavier Ballina (Richmond) taking on St Francis Xavier Woolgoolga (Clarence) which saw the northerners coming out on top to qualify for the final. St Anthony's Kingscliff took out the other semi, defeating St Agnes Port Macquarie.

In the play-off for third place, the Woolgoolga boys found some form to account for the Port Macquarie team.

St Anthony's took out the tightly contested Final against St Francis Xavier Ballina 4-3 in a highly skilled match that went right down to the wire. Congratulations to the Kingscliff boys and their coach.

Once again the vibe of the day was very positive and the manner in which all the boys conducted themselves both on and off the field was exceptional.

A big thank you to local referees Graham and Brett for officiating the matches, Christina in the canteen and Adam from Resqmed for supplying first aid.

Thanks again to Paddy for convening.

DIOCESAN NETBALL CHALLENGE – 25 SEPTEMBER 2024 GRAFTON

The Diocesan Netball Finals were held on the 25 of September at Westward Park Netball courts in Grafton.

Convened by Kyrah Ryan and hosted by the Grafton Netball Association, the four zone Champions were St Augustine's Coffs Harbour (defending champions) representing Clarence, Tweed winners St James' Banora Point, Richmond Champions Holy Family, Skennars Head and Hastings winners St Peter's Port Macquarie.

The girls played a round-robin series to decide places with 1st and 2nd fighting out the final, with the other two schools playing off for third and fourth position.

St Peter's Port Macquarie and St Augustine's Coffs Harbour shared third place.

Our Diocesan Champions for 2024 are St James' Primary, Banora Point who defeated Holy Family, Skennars Head in the final.

DIOCESAN NETBALL CHALLENGE – 25 OCTOBER 2023 GRAFTON

The 2023 Diocesan netball and football (soccer) finals have been cancelled for the second time due to extreme heat conditions. This was the second attempt to hold these Diocesan finals following the postponement in term 3 of this event also due to excessive heat.
St Augustine's Coffs Harbour (netball) and St Carthage's Lismore (football-soccer) winning schools in 2022 will hold the trophy until 2024.

DIOCESAN NETBALL CHALLENGE – 21 SEPTEMBER – WESTWARD PARK, GRAFTON.

Some truly terrific games of netball were played by the zone teams at Westward Park netball courts. The results of the finals were: Playoff for 1st /2nd place St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour, 35, defeated St Joseph’s Primary School, Tweed Heads, 12. Both teams played fast, skilful netball throughout the day. In the playoff for 3rd and 4th place, St Peter’s Primary School, Port Macquarie, 9, defeated Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Skennars Head, 8, in a see-sawing, close game.

DIOCESAN FOOTBALL (SOCCER) CHALLENGE – 21 SEPTEMBER 2022 – RUSHFORTH PARK, SOUTH GRAFTON

The Lismore Diocesan primary football (soccer) challenge was held at Rushforth Park, South Grafton, on Wednesday, 21 September. After winning at the Zone level, the following four teams contested the Paul Wilson Memorial Trophy: St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, Pottsville (Tweed), St Carthage’s Primary School, Lismore (Richmond), St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour (Clarence) and St Agnes’ Primary School, Port Macquarie (Hastings). On show were very talented and skilful students who, throughout the day, played some excellent football.

RESULTS: St Carthage’s Primary School, Lismore, 5, defeated St Agnes' Primary School, Port Macquarie, 2, in a closely contested final for most of the game. In the other match for 3rd and 4th place, St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour, 4, defeated St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, Pottsville, 1, in another good football game (soccer).


St Agnes' Primary School, Port Macquarie,* football team runners up in 2022*	St Carthages Primary School, Lismore, win the Paul Wilson Memorial Football Challenge	Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Port Macquarie,* netball team*

St Augustine's Primary School, Coffs Harbour, netball team win the netball challenge for 2022	St Joseph's Primary School, Tweed Heads, netball team. Runners up in 2022	St Peter's Primary School, Port Macquarie, netball team