Southern Districts Junior Rugby Union and the Menai Rugby Union Club hosted the NSW under-13 state championships over the June long weekend.
The tournament involved teams from 17 districts with the Southern Districts side, comprising of players from Menai, Burraneer and Sylvania rugby clubs, finishing as runners-up.
The young Southern Districts side downed Manly 12-6 in their semi-final to book a decider against Penrith.
The host team fell short in the final, going down 46-5, but earned plenty of praise from the Southern Districts’ coaching and management team who were extremely proud of their achievement.
It was a case of going one better for Southern Districts, who finished third at the state championships last year.
Menai president Tony Louka said the event was a resounding success thanks to the club’s volunteers and assistance of Sutherland Shire Council for preparing the fields despite wet and muddy conditions over the weekend.
“The rugby skill and sportsmanship displayed over the weekend by the under-13s players demonstrated the future of rugby in NSW is looking very positive at grass roots [level],” he said.
“The support from our parent and family group over the three days with early morning runs to the fruit market for supplies [as well as] massages, strapping, countless jersey washes was fantastic.
“To be second in the state really was a whole of community achievement.”