Campbelltown Saints on track to claim national Nines glory

In a short time, the Campbelltown Saints have made a startling impression on the local community. Now, after making their mark on the scoreboard, discover why they’re eyeing national glory.

And just like that, the Campbelltown Saints are heading to the Gold Coast.

A pipe dream several months ago, the Jarryd Hayne-led Saints dominated at Wentworthville on the weekend to claim the Sydney Nines Premier League title in their first season. Next stop: a shot at the national title in Queensland next month and a share of $50,000 in prize money.

Faultless over both days, the Macarthur combination made it a six-from-six on Sunday when former Storm premiership winner and Thirlmere centre Curtis Scott dashed over to wrap up the grand final over the Penrith-based FTA (From The Area) 21-15.

With two tries in the decider, Scott was a worthy man of the match. Making the most of the open spaces at Ringrose Park, Daniel Payne was at his elusive best over both days, and The Oaks playmaker was deservedly crowned player of the tournament.

“We were happy enough just qualifying for the Gold Coast, but then to actually win it was the icing on the cake,” said Saints team manager Danny Nicholson following the 16-team carnival that featured teams from across NSW.

“It’s been a massive few weeks. We were shocked by how many Campbelltown fans turned up in their Saints gear they got from our community day. Our social media has just gone bananas in the last two days.

“It’s really clear that the community is leaning in, now it’s all about organising the fundraising and sponsorship to get the boys up to the Goldie for the finals on January 24-25.”

Captain Jarryd Hayne leads the Campbelltown Saints victory celebrations. Picture: Nines Premier League (9PL)

Driven by a desire to transition local youth into the workforce, both the Saints and FTA will represent NSW in a four-team competition that includes the top two Queensland teams.

“FTA share the same vision as us, but in the Penrith area,” Nicholson said of the team coached by former Roosters and Sharks star Tinirau Arona.

“We are in the process of organising two community days with FTA - one in Campbelltown and another in Penrith, most likely in early January. Both sides will oppose each other, and we’ll get all the NRL boys to come out too.”

Given around 2,000 fans attended the Saints’ community day last month, there’s plenty for both teams to be excited about heading into the new year.

INSPIRING A GENERATION: WHY JARRYD HAYNE HAS RETURNED TO SPOTLIGHT

They are the new kids on the block, but for the Campbelltown Saints, the fight to break generational hardship carries more weight than on field success.

Packed with former NRL stars headlined by Jarryd Hayne and the best of the Macarthur Rugby League, the region’s newest nine-a-side team has already won over fans in its push to qualify for the Nines Premier League finals on the Gold Coast in January.

Eager to catch a glimpse of their former heroes, last weekend an estimated 2,000 fans packed Waminda Oval at East Campbelltown for the Saints Community Day as preparations continued ahead of the qualifiers at Wentworthville on November 29-30.

Born from a chance meeting between Hayne and Danny Nicholson — the Claymore‑raised founder of charity Breaking Chains — the team is equally committed to transitioning local youth into the workforce.

A full house at Saints Community Day. Picture: Teshai Grant

In an alignment of destinies, Hayne, an Eels legend and Campbelltown local junior, reached out to Nicholson with an idea to start a team given his history of charity work.

“Despite good intentions, the downside of housing commission areas is a repeated cycle of heartbreak and hurt,” said Nicholson, who along with his brothers grew up in similar circumstances before he became the first in his family to complete high school.

“I went to Eagle Vale High, and I remember there were times where the teacher would tell naughty kids that they’d call their parents threatening to end the families Centrelink payments.

“It’s part of the reason why my brothers and I decided to start our own non-profit charity as a vehicle to break generational chains of poverty.”

That was three years ago. Now in collaboration with Homes NSW, local organisations AB Central and Empowering Growth, Breaking Chains uses sport to assist students at Airds and Eagle Vale into the workforce.

(L-R) Brothers Danny Nicholson and Rocco Giaquinto from Breaking Chains at the Saints Community Day. Supplied: Campbelltown Saints

“It’s all community driven,” said Nicholson, noting that AB Central helps fund the free holiday programs, allowing Breaking Chains to run structured educational support alongside the sports to ensure attendees obtain essential qualifications for employment.

“Sport is the one thing that speaks every language, it doesn’t matter about social demographics and cultural background and that’s where the Saints come into it.

“The Saints aren’t about taking the place of other clubs, we only play nines footy after the local season has finished, and every player must be from the area to ensure the team acts as a symbol of possibility for the entire community, not just one club.

“These boys aren’t getting paid like they do for their regular clubs, they are doing it to represent the area and be with the stars they idolised growing up.”

Despite his own turbulent legal battles over the last six years, Hayne showed he’d lost none of his pulling power at Waminda Oval, proving whatever external narratives exist, loyalty in the west is unbreakable.

“People will always have differing views on Jarryd, but he’s still loved in Campbelltown,” said Nicholson.

“We don’t forget our own - the kid from Minto that made us all proud, and that’s what Saturday was about. He couldn’t move two metres without posing for selfies or signing autographs.

“It’s like Kevin and Ken McGuinness and John Skandalis, those boys haven’t put a jersey on in years, but they can’t walk down Queen Street without getting mobbed.”

The massive success of the Community Day adds viability to the program, which is set to become an annual event.

“We had no idea the impact was going to be this big,” Nicholson said.

What started as a goal to qualify for the Nines Premier League has now become a movement. The Saints remain committed to running holiday clinics, creating a space for kids to access free training with top-tier athletes and their heroes.

For the Campbelltown Saints, the real win won’t be on the Gold Coast, but in the life skills and employment opportunities secured for the next generation back home.