With the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding long behind us, Deniliquin’s primary schools came together on Friday for the first Chummy Bartlett Shield event since 2019.
Senior students from the four local schools - Deni South, Deni North, Edward Public and St Michael’s - did battle in football, netball and Newcombe ball to earn points.
The roar of delight from St Michael’s School when it was announced as the shield recipient was almost deafening.
The school was just two points clear of Deni South School, who has been dominant in the shield competition over a number of years.
South claimed its ninth shield in 2019 and also won in 2018.
St Michael’s last had its name on the shield in 2017 when it shared the spoils with Deni South - the first tie in the event’s history.
Named in honour of local sporting legend and junior sports advocate James ‘Chummy’ Bartlett, the day is largely built on the physical health, enjoyment and sportsmanship of primary level school students, rather than the competitiveness and of the sports.
But of course the rivalry between schools added to the day’s atmosphere.
Competition coordinator Luke Moodie said points were allocated differently for each sport, with footy earning four points for the winner and two points each if there was a draw.
Winners of netball games earned two points, and one was assigned for a draw.
One point was awarded for a win in Newcombe ball.
Final results were as follows:
St Michael’s School - 20 points
Deniliquin South School - 18 points
Edward Public School - 10 points
Deniliquin North School - four points.
On hand to present the shield at the end of the day was Chummy’s daughter Eunice Bennett, on behalf of her late father who died in 2018.
On behalf of herself and sister Lee Bartlett, and Chummy’s extended family, she thanked the schools and the students for continuing the competition in their father’s honour.