Pacific Pines is kicking on in the pursuit of excellence

PACIFIC Pines State High School’s Aussie rules program is a dynasty in the making.

In 2016, the school was announced as the latest addition to AFL Queensland’s excellence program and next year that group of inaugural students will move into Year 11.

From staging mixed male and female Aussie rules classes back when the program first formed, Pacific Pines now boasts a junior male and female side – both set to compete at the AFLQ Invitational Gala Day which begins on Monday with the junior females.

“We were running combined boys and girls classes with our Year 7 and 8 students so it’s crazy to think those same kids are going into Year 11 next year,” Pacific Pines director of AFL excellence and junior boys head coach Mitch Montgomery said.

“The first year, the girls didn’t even have a team but we knew we would have to wait and bide our time. Once it all happened, we got a few wins but didn’t manage to make finals last year in our first year in the excellence competition.

“Our boys haven’t made finals yet either so there’s an incentive there for both teams.”

While dual finals berths is on the radar, Montgomery said the long-term vision was to field teams in both senior and junior divisions.

And both junior male and female gala days this week could provide a glance into the future and some of the talents that could soon represent Pacific Pines in senior football.

“Looking at next year, it’ll be the first time we’ll field a senior male and senior female team so our succession and progression planning is coming to fruition,” Montgomery said.

“It gives our Year 9 girls something to play for and also will hopefully attract new girls who can come in and replace those moving into the senior ranks so that’s our goal for running the program.

“The junior age group evolves and changes each year and our girls started the year well with a win over Victoria Point until COVID disrupted our season.

“We were really surprised at how well the older girls took the lead after a core group moved into Year 10 last year.”

Montgomery said the growth of the AFLW competition and the addition of the Suns side also resulted in an uptake in female participation.

“A lot of our girls also play for local junior clubs but the AFLW has given junior female athletes something to aspire to but I think the interest and drive has always been there for most,” he said.

Pacific Pines takes on Narangba Valley, Mountain Creek and Palm Beach Currumbin school in its three round-robin clashes on Monday before the top two teams from each pool progress to finals.

The Bulletin will also live stream games involving Helensvale State High School.