Sydney Swans premiership star and 2012 Norm Smith Medallist, Ryan O’Keefe welcomed the 2024 AFL Premiership Cup to Shire Christian School on Tuesday, as the third week of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Cup Tour commenced in New South Wales.
O’Keefe was on hand to surprise more than 400 eager Junior School students, following the school’s announcement as the 2024 AFL School of the Year.
Students had the chance to rub shoulders with one of the game's most precious pieces of silverware as excitement continues to build for the Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide this Friday at the SCG.
As well as the opportunity to take photos with the Cup, ask questions, have something signed and kick a footy with O’Keefe, students enjoyed interacting with the media in attendance.
Kasey Paradis from AFL NSW/ACT was on hand to present the School of the Year plaque.
Mr Phillip Charleston, Year 6 teacher and AFL coach, said, “As someone who loves AFL, I am so excited that in the last three years our school has become super excited about AFL. I’m so proud of all of you.”
In acknowledgement of the award, new AFL posts were installed on the school oval for students to enjoy just in time for the arrival of the Cup. The multi-sport posts allow for AFL, soccer and rugby style games to be played and can be removed and reconfigured as required.
O’Keefe said that it was incredibly exciting to see a school in Sydney be voted the number one school in the whole country.
“It shows how much the buy-in and how big the game is here in Sydney.
“The kids loved it. You could see the excitement and enthusiasm for them to touch the Cup, take photos with it, be on the news – all that sort of stuff.
“It was really good to see that excitement and energy around it,” O’Keefe said.
Check out the video which includes some media clips and highlights from the event.
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