Flood-ravaged Blakebrook Public School eyes off soccer title in big smoke of Sydney

The students of Blakebrook Public School have faced more adversity than most at a young age, and now the small school is headed to the big smoke of Sydney to chase an incredible honour.

Blakebrook Public School will compete in the semi finals of the NSW PSSA Small School Football Knockout in Sydney. Picture: Contributed

From flood-ravaged classrooms to the big city streets of Sydney, Blakebrook Public School’s football team is kicking goals and breaking boundaries.

Blakebrook Public School is set to compete in the NSW PSSA Small School Football Knockout semi-finals on Wednesday in Glenwood, Sydney.

For many students, this will be their first glimpse of the big city.

“They’re a terrific group of students who are humble and excited to go to Sydney. Some have never been before,” said classroom teacher Julie Perren.

Blakebrook Public School, with just 47 students, is located northwest of Lismore in the Northern Rivers region.

The team’s success is particularly notable given the school’s recent challenges.

Blakebrook Public School sustained extensive damage during the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, forcing students to relocate temporarily.

Despite these setbacks, the school has maintained its strong presence in the Small School Football Competition.

Having won the tournament twice since 2012, Blakebrook’s resilience shone through when the 2022 squad reached the finals amid the flood recovery efforts.

“Classroom teacher Damian Cootes has coached the team throughout the year, with students demonstrating resilience despite limited space and resources for training,” relieving principal Al Coulter said,

This resilience extends beyond the football pitch. As part of a NSW government initiative to rebuild essential services, a project is underway to reconstruct Blakebrook Public School with flood-resilient facilities.

The rebuild will deliver modern classrooms, a canteen, library, administration area, and landscaping, ensuring a brighter future for the school community.

For the moment, the Blakebrook Public School students continue to school at the nearby Goolmangar Public School site which is currently in recess.

Blakebrook Public School will take on Willow Tree Public School in the semi-final tomorrow. If victorious, they will advance to the final which is scheduled to be played on the same day.

The team’s journey to the semi-finals has been nothing short of dominant. They’ve showcased their prowess with impressive victories: 17-0 in the first round, followed by 7-1, 6-1, and a 6-1 win to qualify for the semis.

As Blakebrook Public School continues its recovery from the floods, the footballing team’s success stands as a symbol of the school’s persistence and determination.

Their journey to the semi-finals has provided a unifying moment of celebration for not only the school, but also the surrounding community.

The team left for Sydney on Tuesday morning for what is an eight-hour commute from Lismore and will be staying overnight before the big game.

“Best of luck to Blakebrook Public – we hope they bring home the Small School State Trophy.” Coulter said, expressing his support for the team.