Cronulla Juniors

Val Kearns remembered

by
cronullajuniorleague
14/08/2021

Now in its 13th year, the Val Kearns Shield is an annual local under 8's rugby league match between the Bosco Bulldogs and Engadine Dragons Pictures: Adam Wrightson

Val Kearns remembered

Author : Cronulla Junior League

Val Kearns remembered in 13th annual Val Kearns Shield game played in her honour

This year’s Shield was twice as big as previous years with both u8 teams from Bosco and Engadine playing each other in the events first ever double-header.

Now in its 13th 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.

As always, the games were played in great spirit with both sportsmanship and friendship being the theme for the day.

Every year Mark, Bob and Natalie attend the event and provide words of encouragement as well as the background to the history of Val Kearns and how this annual event came to exist and what the game represents in the Engadine rugby league community.

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.

In a Shield first, both u8 teams for each club played on the day with the Shield to be decided based on overall point differential across both games.

Both of this year’s games went down to the wire with Bosco narrowing winning both games to retain the Val Kearns Shield.

Bosco u18s win 2021 Val Kearns Shield (Photo : Adam Wrightson CJL)

The game results were:

u8 Blue – Bosco 32 defeated Engadine 28

u8 Green – Bosco 36 defeated Engadine 30

St. John’s Bosco and the Engadine Dragons U18’s together after this years Val Kearns Shield (Photo : Adam Wrightson CJL)

Congratulations to both Harry Teasel (Bosco u8 Blue) and Cooper Skuse (Bosco u8 Green) who were both awarded this years Val Kearns Medal as judged by Bob Kearns.

As always, there were no losers, just winners !!! Congratulations to all 4 teams teams and both clubs for another fantastic Val Kearns Shield.

Pictures: Adam Wrightson