School football stars vie for state honours

School footballers from all over Queensland will converge on Bundaberg for the Queensland School Sport 12-years-and-under Football State Championships from this Sunday (3 August) until Thursday 7 August.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said male and female teams from each of Queensland's 12 sporting regions would contest the championships at Bundaberg’s Across the Waves playing fields.

“The rising young football stars have been selected from hundreds of hopefuls to represent their region at the State Championships,” Mr Welford said.

"I want to congratulate each on their selection and wish them every success on the field.

"It's a great opportunity for these young athletes to compete at a high level while meeting and sharing experiences with their peers from across the state.

"I’m sure they’ll do their region proud, especially in this Year of Physical Activity.”

Mr Welford said more than 330 students would compete in the event to be played as a round-robin competition.

“Every regional team will play each other and points will be awarded for wins, draws and losses,” he said.

“The boys’ teams are vying for the Vic Leggatt Shield and the girls’ teams are competing for the Barry Lott Trophy.

“Perhaps a future team member of the Socceroos or the Matildas will be holding one of these trophies at the end of the championships.

"I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated teachers and school staff who have given considerable time and effort to make the championships a success."

The sporting regions represented at the tournament will be Metropolitan West, Metropolitan North, Metropolitan East, South West, Wide Bay, Capricornia, Darling Downs, Northern, North Western, Peninsula, South Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Fourteen boys and 14 girls will be selected from the event to represent the state at the School Sport Australia Football Exchange to be held at Melbourne from 7 to 12 September.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000