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October 20, 2026

Mullum Primary basketball team bounces their way to state championships

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Mullumbimby Public School PSSA boys basketball team is heading to Sydney for the NSW state finals. Photo supplied

Mullumbimby Public School’s PSSA boys basketball team has made it to the NSW state finals and will be heading to Sydney on Monday, 7 September and they are asking for a bit of a hand to get there. 

‘This is the first MPS team, in at least 20 years, has reached this level of competition, and we couldn’t be prouder of these boys,’ said their teacher and coach, Amy Austin.

‘Travelling to Sydney comes with significant costs, and we are asking our local community to help us get them there. We would be incredibly grateful for any sponsorship or contribution towards travel, accommodation, and associated costs.’

North Coast Champions

The team has won six consecutive games to become the North Coast Champions and to qualify for the state finals to be held in Penrith on Monday. 

‘This means the team has reached the top eight teams in NSW, an outstanding achievement in a Public Education system of 1,601 Primary schools,’ MPS principal David Less told The Echo.

‘Along the way, victories against Coorabell PS, Byron Bay PS, The Pocket PS, Kingscliff PS, Tregeagle PS, and Kororo PS have ensured safe passage through to the pointy end of the competition. Our quarter-final opponent will be Cherrybrook PS, the champion school from the Sydney North section of the draw.’ 

Coach Austin has been working incredibly hard with the team, including before and during school time training sessions.

‘I have never worked with such a skilful and respectful group of students,’ she told The Echo. 

‘Their teamwork, sportsmanship, and work ethic are the reasons they have progressed this far. Their adherence to our  school values, underpinned by respect, have shone through.’

Baylee Sequoia, mother of player Hudson, told The Echo, ‘The boys have played with so much heart, last year they were knocked out in round two. They have improved so much. It is wonderful to see their hard work paying off.’

Donate

So far Devines Butcher, Mullumbimby Newsagency, and Stewarts Meswear have stepped up to help the team get to the Sydney state finals. 

‘The Mullumbimby Chamber of Business and Community is right behind the team and the school’s sports program,’ said chamber member Jenelle Stanford.

‘We are asking any people and businesses to donate to the school via the Mullumbimby Chamber and we will top up the donation to the next thousand.’ 

The Chamber is calling for donations to be deposited by 1pm this Friday, 4 September.

To donate: 

Southern Cross Credit Union (SCCU)

BSB: 722744

Account number: 100113906

Ref: basketball team. This is account for chamber

Otherwise, you can drop a donation into the Mullumbimby Newsagency.

♦ If there are excess funds they will go towards the school’s sports programs via the P&C.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

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