The Central Coast Soccer Association was the host of this year's Australian Schools Championships which took place last week in Pluim Park, Lisarow, and North Power Stadium, Gosford. Once again all states and territories were represented in the championships that featured both Schoolboys and Schoolgirls events over the week commencing Sunday 5th August.
The Schoolboys kicked-off their tournament at Pluim Park with a fighting 1-2 loss to New South Wales on Sunday, Rhys Graham scoring for the team from the west with Shane Nunes voted the sides best player. The Western Australian boys got their campaign back on track the following afternoon when they took maximum points from the clash with Victoria, best on field Graham netted the only goal of the game after 73 minutes.
At the end of Day Three of competition, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales were tied at the top of the ladder, both yet to lose a game. But breathing down their necks were Western Australian who continued to improve, this time too strong for South Australia by a 2-0 margin. With goalkeeper Mitchell Gregory outstanding, Graham bagged his third goal in as many games after just 18 minutes and Damian Catalano sealed the win in the 74th minute.
After a day off, the Schoolboys tournament re-commenced on Thursday at North Power Stadium where Western Australia were held 2-2 by Queensland, effectively ending their slim hopes of taking out the title. Man-of-the-match Catalano pulled one back for Western Australia three minutes after half-time, while defender Dino Djulbic converted from the spot shortly after half-time. The final day of action saw the teams return to Pluim where the Australian Capital Territory wrapped up the trophy with a resounding 4-0 win over Western Australia, James Hesketh named our best player. New South Wales claimed second by defeating South Australia 3-1 and Victoria finished third after a 1-0 win over Queensland.
"This was one of our best teams over the last five years," said happy coach Tony Ratcliffe after the side returned to Perth. "There were high quality performances from everyone and the depth that we had in the squad a outstanding. It was the first time that we have beaten South Australia in at least five years, and the second year in a row that we've beaten Victoria, who are traditionally a strong team. The boys worked hard and were consistent in their dedication throughout the event and that was reflected in us narrowly missing out on the bronze medal." Rockingham City defender Nunes was named in the Australian Schoolboys squad after the final day of activity, with Djulbic, Catalano, Graham and Scott Bulloch in the shadow squad.
| Date | Opponents | Score | Scorers |
| 5 August | New South Wales | 1-2 | R.Graham |
| 6 August | Victoria | 1-0 | R.Graham |
| 7 August | South Australia | 2-0 | R.Graham, D.Catalano |
| 9 August | Queensland | 2-2 | D.Catalano, D.Djulbic |
| 10 August | Australian Capital Territory | 0-4 |
| Name | School | Club | Position | |
| 1 | Mitchell Gregory | Safety Bay S.H.S. | Rockingham City | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Shane Nunes | John Curtin S.H.S. | Rockingham City | Defence |
| 3 | Matt Donlevy | Joondalup Baptist College | Inglewood United | |
| 4 | Peter Koitis | Morley S.H.S. | Perth S.C. | |
| 5 | Stefan Stolseki | Mirrabooka S.H.S. | Stirling Suns | |
| 6 | Matt Aitken | Chisholm College | Inglewood United | Midfield |
| 7 | Paul Bascynski | Chisholm College | Perth S.C. | |
| 8 | Damian Catalana | Trinity College | Perth S.C. | |
| 9 | Dario Bukara | Mount Lawley S.H.S. | Perth S.C. | Midfield |
| 10 | Dino Djulic | John Curtin S.H.S. | Perth S.C. | Defence |
| 11 | Scott Bulloch | Tuart College | E.C.U. Joondalup | Midfield |
| 12 | Rhys Graham | Trinity College | Perth S.C. | Forward/Midfield |
| 13 | Evan Melis | Mercy College | Balcatta | Forward |
| 14 | James Hesketh | John Curtin S.H.S. | Cockburn City | Forward |
| 15 | Daniel Arias | Chisholm College | Inglewood United | Midfield |
| 16 | Gianni Papalia | Chisholm College | Perth S.C. | Goalkeeper |
| Tony Ratcliffe | -- | -- | Coach | |
| Toby Wright | -- | -- | Assistant Coach | |
| Aric Foreman | -- | -- | Manager |
The opening match of the Schoolgirls tournament saw Western Australia account for the Northern Territory 3-0 at Pluim Park. Monday was a busy day for the girls from the west, in the morning they accounted for South Australia 3-0, following this with a victory over Queensland by the same margin later in the day. After having Tuesday off, the girls side hammered seven past the Australian Capital Territory without reply to shoot to the top of the table.
Western Australia continued on their winning way on Thursday, thrashing Victoria 6-0. But New South Wales kept the pressure on, downing South Australia 6-0 and Victoria 4-0 to also remain undefeated going into the final day. This set up the trophy deciding showdown between New South Wales and Western Australia in which only one goal separated the side after 90 minutes, that being scored by New South Wales. The girls from the west finished the tournament as runners-up with Queensland coming in third.
| Date | Opponents | Score | Scorers |
| 5 August | Northern Territory | 3-0 | |
| 6 August | South Australia | 3-0 | |
| 6 August | Queensland | 3-0 | |
| 8 August | Australian Capital Territory | 7-0 | |
| 9 August | Victoria | 6-0 | |
| 10 August | New South Wales | 0-1 |