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The Av�԰� 1st XV Rugby boys team has made school history, taking out the ISA Division 2 Premiership Shield and the Waratah Shield in the same year.

The boys went the entire year undefeated in the ISA Division 2, taking out the Premiership Shield for the school for the first time in 18 years.

By winning the Premiership Shield, the boys were invited to compete in the Waratah Shield.��

The Waratah Shield is a rugby union knock-out competition for high school teams from NSW. This year's competition consisted of champion schools from CHS (Randwick Boys), CCC (Maitland All Saints), AICES (Scone Grammar), and ISA Division 2 (Av�԰�).

This was the first time in the school’s history that our Av�԰� 1st XV Rugby team had been invited to play in this prestigious competition.

The grand final game was a nail-biter against Randwick Boys High School, eventually going into extra time with the Av�԰� 1st XV Rugby team winning 25-18.

Mr Robbie Barnard, Head Coach of the Av�԰� 1st XV Rugby boys said, “I am both proud and honoured to be part of the journey with these boys. They have cemented their legacy within the broader school and indeed the school rugby program for many generations to come,”

“It gives me tremendous pride to see these young men be the best that they can be, and knowing I was part of that development and realisation for them is just amazing,” Mr Barnard said.

Zak Pearse, Av�԰� 1st XV Rugby boys Captain 2023, reflected on his captaincy, “Winning the Waratah Shield was definitely a defining moment in my life. It taught me the power of teamwork, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that forms amongst teammates,”

“As I look back on that day, I am filled with gratitude for captaining the team and being part of the rich history of this prestigious competition,”

“The Waratah Shield will forever hold a special place in my heart,” Zak said.

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