UK fans aren’t the only ones enjoying international footy.
Teams representing Malta, Latin America, the Mediterranean, Africa, Fiji, Lebanon, the Cook Islands, Australian Indigenous communities and myriad other cultures and backgrounds dazzled hundreds of spectators in the eighth annual under-16s Harmony Cup at St Marys.
Celebrating cultural diversity, 28 teams and 500 males and females laced up the boots in a jam-packed day of non-stop action, which also featured family-fun activities for the whole family including cultural performances, music, food, face painting and jumping castle.
NSWRL CEO David Trodden said the event, run by the NSWRL in conjunction with the NRL, brought out the best in rugby league.
“It’s a huge honour to be hosting and running an event like the Harmony Cup with the NRL,” Trodden said.
“The competition is all about community and cultural diversity – and it’s just another reason why rugby league is the greatest game of all.”
Country side Group 10 claimed the under-16s Harmony Cup with a hard-earned 16-6 victory over a passionate Samoa side. Adam Fearnley was instrumental in the victory, claiming the 2015 Player of the Tournament.
In an event first, the inaugural women’s nines open-age competition took place with the Central Coast Pink Panthers celebrating the victor as maiden premiers over the Victorian Marvels in the grand final. NSW Representative fullback Isabelle Kelly capped an unforgettable season, deservedly receiving the 2015 Female Player of the Tournament for her sensational performance all day long.
Under 16’s Harmony Cup Scores:
GROUP GAMES:
Pool 1:
Western Sydney Indigenous Sports Academy 12 defeated NSWRL Young Achievers 4
Latin Heat 10 defeated South West Young Achievers 6
Australian Fijian Rugby League 18 defeated Western Sydney Indigenous Sports Academy 12
NSWRL Young Achievers 12 drew with Latin Heat 12
Australian Fijian Rugby League 16 defeated NSWRL Young Achievers 12
South West Achievers 10 defeated Western Sydney Indigenous Sports Academy 6
Australian Fijian Rugby League 10 defeated Latin Heat 6
South West Young Achievers 16 defeated NSWRL Young Achievers 8
Western Sydney Indigenous Sports Academy 22 defeated Latin Heat 6
Australian Fijian Rugby League 10 defeated South West Young Achievers 6
Pool 2:
South Sydney Indigenous 18 defeated Italy 6
Mediterranean Middle Eastern Rugby League 14 defeated Africa United 6
Lebanon 12 defeated Italy 6
Africa United 12 defeated South Sydney Indigenous 6
Lebanon 12 defeated South Sydney Indigenous 10
Italy 20 defeated Mediterranean Middle Eastern Rugby League 4
Mediterranean Middle Eastern Rugby League 32 defeated South Sydney Indigenous 8
Lebanon 18 defeated Africa United 6
Italy 18 defeated Africa United 0
Lebanon 12 defeated Mediterranean Middle Eastern Rugby League 0
Pool 3:
Greater Western Sydney 10 defeated Tonga 6
Samoa 4 defeated NSW Aboriginal Country Team 0
NSW Maori 6 defeated Tonga 0
Greater Western Sydney 16 defeated NSW Aboriginal Country Team 4
Greater Western Sydney 24 defeated NSW Maori 6
Samoa 10 defeated Tonga 6
NSW Maori 12 defeated NSW Aboriginal Country Team 6
Samoa 22 defeated Greater Western Sydney 6
Tonga 30 defeated NSW Aboriginal Country Team 0
Samoa 6 defeated NSW Maori 0
Pool 4:
Group 10 JRL 30 defeated Malta Heritage A 0
Samoa Academy 13 defeated Malta Heritage B 0
Group 10 JRL 12 defeated Cook Islands 6
Samoa Academy 18 defeated Malta Heritage A 6
Cook Islands 26 defeated Malta Heritage A 0
Group 10 JRL 13 defeated Malta Heritage B 0
Samoa Academy 4 defeated Cook Islands 0
Malta Heritage A 13 defeated Malta Heritage B 0
Group 10 JRL 14 defeated Samoa Academy 6
Cook Islands 13 defeated Malta Heritage B 0
TROPHY FINALS:
Semi Finals:
Group 10 JRL 10 defeated Australian Fijian Rugby League 4
Samoa 16 defeated Lebanon 8
Final:
Group 10 JRL 16 defeated Samoa 6
PLATE FINALS:
Semi Finals:
Western Sydney Indigenous Sports Academy 12 defeated Samoa Academy 10
Italy 12 defeated Greater Western Sydney 10
Final:
Western Sydney Indigenous Sports Academy 22 defeated Italy 6
Women’s Harmony Cup:
POOL GAMES:
Group 1:
NSW City Barbarians 8 defeated Lebanon 4
Central Coast Pink Panthers 22 defeated NSW Maori 0
NSW City Barbarians 8 defeated NSW Maori 6
Lebanon 12 drew with Central Coast Pink Panthers 12
Central Coast Pink Panthers 18 defeated NSW City Barbarians 4
NSW Maori 10 defeated Lebanon 8
Group 2:
Corrimal Cougars 10 defeated Cook Islands 0
Victoria Marvels 10 defeated Samoa 0
Cook Islands 13 defeated Victoria Marvels 6
Corrimal Cougars 8 defeated Samoa 6
Victoria Marvels 10 defeated Corrimal Cougars 4
Samoa 10 defeated Cook Islands 4
TROPHY FINALS:
Semi Finals:
Central Coast Pink Panthers 16 defeated Corrimal Cougars 12
Victoria Marvels 24 defeated NSW City Barbarians 12
Final:
Central Coast Pink Panthers 12 defeated Victoria Marvels 4
PLATE FINALS:
Semi Finals:
NSW Maori 14 defeated Samoa 4
Cook Islands 14 defeated Lebanon 10
Final:
Cook Islands 14 defeated NSW Maori 8
