The year that was: A look back at 24 incredible local NSW sporting moments of 2024
From historic debuts for the Waratahs through to archery gold medals and record breaking cricket knocks, 2024 had a bit of everything. We look back at 24 incredible local NSW sporting moments of ‘24.
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The year in local sport had something for everyone as teams performed extraordinary feats and individuals left us in awe.
Join us as we take a look back at the year that was in local sport in NSW.
RELATED LINKS
The top 30 moments of local rugby league in NSW/ACT in 2024
PASIFIKA CUP STRIKES THE RIGHT NOTES
The Pasifika Cup showed once again why it’s one of the most spectacular dates on the NSW rugby union calendar. Culture was on full display in Sydney’s western suburbs as some of the brightest young male and female prospects proudly represented their heritage.
ALL SCHOOLS HEROICS
The All Schools Athletic Championships were dominated by the records of Gout Gout, but NSW athletes had a fantastic campaign with over 80 gold medals and eight championship records, as well as Cameron Badger securing an Australian record.
WALLSEND DEFIES THE ODDS AND TRAVEL
They might’ve gone down in the grand final, but the efforts of Wallsend to make the grand final of the Vawdon Cup Women’s Premier League was inspiring. They had to travel over 2200km throughout the six-week competition in order to compete.
NSW’S BEST ON SHOW IN AUSSIE RULES
A strong contingent of local AFL talent enhanced their draft claims with selection in the AFL National Academies for 2025. The five local male and female players will be right in the frame to earn their spot on an AFL roster when the draft rolls around.
TEAMS EARN THEIR PLACE IN AFL SYDNEY FOLKLORE
For the East Coast Eagles women it was a third-straight flag, while for the North Shore Bombers men it was finally getting over the hump. They were the contrasting results from a huge grand final day as they both denied Manly a flag.
AUSSIE SAILORS MAKE HISTORY
The team of skipper Olivia Price, fellow helm Laura Harding and trimmers Annie Wilmot and Lisa Darmanin earned their place in history as part of the first ever Women’s Americas Cup event in Barcelona, Spain. The boxing kangaroo was a key part of their spirit.
FITTLER MAKES HIS DECISION
There have been some big decisions made by schoolboys in dual codes. None were more in the public eye than that of Zach Fittler, the son of NRL legend Brad. In the Roosters pathways system, Zach opted to stick with union, signing with the Waratahs.
CRICKET PRODIGY’S DOUBLE TON
She’s the 15-year-old cricket sensation who took to the Big Bash like a fish to water. But earlier this year, Caoimhe Bray blasted a stunning double century for Greater Hunter in the U18s Brewer Shield grand final that left plenty on edge.
SPORTS COME TOGETHER FOR IMPORTANT CAUSE
The Booralee Big Bash is turning into an annual event with the second staging of the cricket day to fundraise for suicide awareness. It combines the power of sport with an important message of the need to communicate when things are getting tough.
PUT RESPECT ON EASTS’ NAME
The 55-year Shute Shield drought was finally over for Easts as they knocked off Norths in a thrilling 36-35 grand final win at Leichhardt Oval. The game had everything and the fairytale finish for the tricolours ensured their place in history.
NATIONAL YOUTH ARCHERY CHAMPS: SHOCK GOLD
One of eight rising NSW archers to strike gold at the National Youth Champs in the ACT, the multi-talented Mitchell Campbell returned home to the Northern Beaches in “shock” after finding out about his success.
SYDNEY CRICKET VETERAN TOPS TEST LEGEND
A couple of grade cricket veterans teamed up with centuries in a record opening stand for Western Suburbs. But for aspiring NSW opener Josh Clarke, his score of 175 was enough to go past a former Test champion.
‘COUPLE ON THE ROOF’: EX-BBL GUN BLASTS SIDE TO TITLE
A former Sydney Thunder opener showed he’s still a force, launching balls onto the roof at North Sydney Oval as St George finished in a flurry to claim the Kingsgrove Sports T20 grand final.
RUGBY’S NEXT GEN TAKES SHAPE
The Waratahs U16s side completed the perfect Super Rugby season with a thrilling 31-29 victory in the grand final over Queensland. With interest in the Wallabies reaching a peak on their UK tour, the next gen of stars are right here in NSW.
WARILLA GOES BACK TO BACK
Warilla-Barrack Point confirmed its status as kings and queens of the beach after taking out the NSW Surf Life Saving Country Championships for the second year in a row.
In the event held on the club’s home break at Warilla Beach, the club backed up its heroics from 2023 to chalk up a 152-point win over rivals Cudgen Headland to claim the title.
AUSSIE SAILORS MAKE HISTORY
The crossover of A League Women and NPL was certainly one that fans enjoyed with the chance to witness their favourite stars at the local level. A host of players featured in the NSW-based competition throughout the season.
GONG MAKES NOISE ON HOME TURF
Athletics Wollongong showed why it is one of the premier regional centres with a commanding showing at the NSW Country Athletics Championships. The association was in fine form on home soil as U9s through to 70s took part in the major event.
NSW U19 WOMEN CHASE PERTH DREAM
Stacked with the next generation of WBBL superstars, reigning champions NSW Metro headed to Perth chasing a third straight title at the National Women’s Championships. The big names stood up, while several new faces stepped out of the shadows.
DEEP HEAT TO THE RESCUE
Kobe Allison could’ve taken the easy way out after tweaking his quad in his first over of bowling in a Central Coast First Grade cricket match. Instead he searched for the Deep Heat and then went on to claim a hat-trick in an extraordinary feat.
YOUNG GUNS MAKE WAVE
The best young surf lifesaving talent was on show at the U17 Championships held on the Sunshine Coast. As always the NSW athletes were on full display with a strong showing at the showcase on the sand.
NAIDOC CUP LIGHTS UP LAKE MACQUARIE
Some of the brightest young Indigenous football talent was on show in July as the NAIDOC Cup saw the best regional and metro talent come together in the name of sport. There were plenty of goals and highlights on display.
LITTLE ATHLETES MAKE BIG IMPRESSION
With Brisbane 2032 firmly on the radar, these are the names that you need to keep an eye on in the coming years. The HART Sport State Track and Field Championships saw our future athletes scorch the track and dazzle in the field to put their name in lights.
ELLIS ENTERS WARATAHS RECORD BOOKS
We’ve seen her star in rugby league, Oztag and touch football, and Waiaria Ellis made her own piece of history when she equalled the record for youngest ever player to represent the Waratahs. Ellis also featured for Parramatta in the Lisa Fiaola Cup in 2024.
NSW COUNTRY CREATES HISTORY
NSW Country created history by winning its first-ever national cricket title at the men’s under-17s National Championships.
After kicking off the tournament with a humiliating round one loss that saw the side bowled out for just 46, Country flipped the script and went on a stunning five-match winning streak to claim the title.
There was also a sense of revenge in the final, with Country overcoming its round one opponents Western Australia to claim a six-wicket victory.
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