Rugby league has a proud tradition centred around community and the grass roots level of our great game. It is a community that remembers and recognises not only the greats who play the game but also and more importantly those unsung heroes who get up every weekend to volunteer and contribute to its ongoing success.
Val Kearns was one of those very people, who spent her life contributing to the very fabric that is junior sport and junior rugby league in this country. While the Kearns family legacy includes the likes of Robbie who played at the games highest level, it is the legacy of Val Kearns who was a great mother, supporter, ambassador and volunteer of local junior rugby league for whom this event celebrates and remembers each year.
Now in its 14th year, the Val Kearns Shield is an annual local under 8's rugby league match between the Bosco Bulldogs and Engadine Dragons. It celebrates the life and contribution to junior rugby league by it's name sake.
This years Val Kearns Shield was a little different, with it being contested by the u9 Silver age division as opposed to the usual u8's. The reason being that this season the Bosco Bulldogs did not field a team in this age division.
Another notable difference was the absence of Bob, Mark and Natalie Kearns all of whom were unable to attend this years game. None the less the show went on and the tribute to Val was not any less special.
And so it was to be that for the first time in the events history, players from both clubs would get the opportunity to play for the cup in consecutive years. In what was a hotly contested match, it was Bosco who prevailed to make it back to back Val Kearns Shield victories.
The final score was Bosco 32 defeated Engadine 16
In what was as a stand-out performance, Cooper Skuse from the Bosco Bulldogs also won back to back Val Kearns Medal's taking out the player of the match award 2 years running. A huge shout out to Cam Johnston from Cronulla Caringbah JRLFC who filled in for Bobby Kearns in selecting this years player of the match.
Bosco coach Christian Eshman was understandably proud of his team and their efforts in retaining the Val Kearns Shield. Once again, Junior Rugby League was the winner in what was again another fitting tribute to a great women who gave so much to the Cronulla JRL.
Pictures: Adam Wrightson - Cronulla JRL Media
High Resolution Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6JfvAr9CeAvVQ71aA