THEY didn’t bring home any silverware but Nelson Bay Neptunes junior representative touch football squads have performed with distinction on the sport’s biggest stage.
In a phenomenal effort, the young Neptunes have mixed it with the best at the 2026 Junior State Cup championships in Dubbo – reaching the finals in nine of the ten age categories to stamp themselves a club on the rise.
Three talented Nelson Bay teams – the Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 Girls outfits – finished the prestigious tournament with top four State rankings after forcing their way into the semi finals at the three day event.
Fresh from their Peter Wilson Memorial Cup championship triumph at home, the Neptunes Under 12s produced skilful displays to win eight of their ten matches before bowing out to eventual champions Northern Beaches Renegades 9-0 in a semi final.
It was only the Neptunes’ second loss of the tournament after suffering an early 4-1 defeat to runners up Manly Sea Eagles on the second day.
Trent Colley’s charges posted wins over Maitland Redbacks (4-1), Tamworth Titans (7-2), Coffs Harbour Hurricanes (5-1), Wallsend Wolves (2-0), Parkes Pumas (3-0) and Ryde Eastwood Hawks (4-2) before sinking the Mudgee Mudcrabs (9-6) in the round of 16 and Newcastle Knights (7-0) in a quarter final.
Just as impressive were the Nelson Bay Under 14 Girls that lost only one match for the entire Cup series.
Northern Beaches inflicted the team’s only loss – a 9-4 victory in a semi final before going on to lift the trophy with a pulsating 7-6 win over the Mudgee Mudcrabs.
The Neptunes Under 14 Girls featured top prospects in Maebel and Harlow Colley, Abi Olatunde, Arabella Whaler, Bonnie Sproule, Carla Peachey, Cruiz Manning, Fern Cullimore, Meah Richards, Mia Gambrill, Miley Clark, Pip Cullimore, Shae Vogtmann and Zahli Read along with shadow players Grace Walshe and Isabelle Archer.
They topped their pool after wins over Carlingford Cyclones 6-0, Macksville Falcons 13-0, Wellington 9-0, Dubbo 4-1, Berkeley Vale Panthers 7-0 and Manly 4-1 before ousting Ryde Eastwood 7-0 in the round of 16 and Maitland 5-4 in a quarter final.
Nelson Bay’s Under 16 Girls reached the last four with eight victories from their ten fixtures including a 7-4 win over Central Coast Peninsula in the round of 16 and a gripping 4-3 quarter final triumph over Norths Bears.
Champions Northern Beaches eliminated the Neptunes 7-0 in a semi final – only the team’s second defeat after suffering a 2-1 loss to Maitland on the opening day.
The Neptunes’ Under 16 Girls combination included NSW Combined High Schools middle Bowey Manning, Alyssa Schein, Delainey Borg, Gabby McCallum, Khloey Barrett, Kiola Cheviot, Liberty Phillips, Maddie Baxter, Mia McDonald, Mika-Ella Grogan, Mikaylah Clark and Piper Mullins.
They chalked up resounding wins over Beresfield Bandits 6-0, Carlingford Cyclones 5-0, Hornsby 3-0, Coffs Harbour Hurricanes 4-1, Wallsend Wolves 6-1 and Macksville Falcons 4-0 to storm into the finals.
Nelson Bay underlined its depth of talent by also reaching the quarter finals of the Under 12 Boys, Under 16 Boys and Under 18 Girls divisions and the round of 16 in the Under 10 Boys and Girls and Under 14 Boys age groups.
Both the Under 12 Boys and Under 16 Boys crashed out after losses to eventual champions Central Coast 9-6 and Wallsend Wolves 15-6 respectively.
Nelson Bay Touch Football co-ordinator Nicole Mitchell praised the efforts of all the Neptunes’ squads that revelled in the pressure-cooker environment.
“We are proud of their deeds and the work of our coaching panel with the Junior Development system which augurs well for the future,” the Australian Emus legend told News Of The Area.
By Chris KARAS
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