Kiama High School is celebrating a historic win in the Swan Shield State AFL championship.
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After taking out the premiership, Kiama High has become the first school outside the Riverina to win the shield.
Coach Tim Poppett said the school community was "ecstatic".
"The phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting to congratulate them," he said.
Poppett said he was confident from the get-go that the side had what it took to win the South Coast championship, but didn't realise the potential of the side until they played Sydney East.
"The boys came flying out of the blocks," he said.
"It was our best game to that point and I realised how good the team was."
After a comfortable win against Wagga Wagga, the side faced a "strong, physical" Deniliquin side.
"We were down early on, but the boys pushed back and got up," Poppett said.
They didn't let the lead go, and made it to the final match against Albury.
"We knew we were good enough, but everything had to go right for us on the day," Poppett said.
And it did. The side "played perfectly" in Albury.
The half time score was announced at Kiama High School assembly, and a staff meeting was held at full time.
"Everyone was ecstatic," Poppett said.
The team was a mix of experienced AFL players and recruits from Rugby League.
He credited a core group of experienced AFL players with bringing the newcomers up to scratch.
"The group really gelled, they helped each other fine-tune skills and gain an understanding of the game," he said.
"That core group of AFL players really helped steer the ship."
The school is hopeful of keeping the shield in Kiama next year.
Ten of this year's players will be eligible for next year's side, and Poppett said there was some up-and coming talent that would be added to the roster.
"It's a huge ask, but it's shaping up to be a strong side," he said.
He praised the support of parents, and the assistance of older students Mitchell Deans and Noah Woods, as well as players Braxton Doherty, Ryan Jessop, Liam Holland and Kyan McCallum for their efforts through the competition.
The winning side was made up of: Isaac Laughton, Angus Munro, Kade Ovenden, Toby Trudgett, Cooper Browne, William Cambridge, Max Cook, Travis Dickson, Dylan Egan, Taj Ford, Cooper Harrison, George Hicks, Mathew Laughton, Toby Martin, Kyle McCarthy, Noah Morphett, Callum PArkinson, Wesley Pring, Will Prosser, Jack Quine, Callum Roberts, Jasper Scobie, Ethan Smith, Hamish Stewart, Ryan Dragarski and Jaxon Lavender.
