The 10th annual Woodside Cup will bring together Clontarf Academy students from across WA this Sunday in a curtain raiser match before Fremantle take on Carlton at Optus Stadium.

In previous years, the event has seen students from Karratha, Northam, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie compete for the coveted Woodside Cup trophy.

Vice president of people and global capability at Woodside Energy Jacky Connolly said she is looking forward to ticking off the decade milestone.

“I’m personally very proud of this event and the partnership with Clontarf,” Connolly said.

“The ability to see the return on the investment that we put in and the energy, passion and growth in the students is completely rewarding.” 

Scott Atkinson played in the very first Woodside Cup back in 2009 and still remembers the feeling of stepping out on Subiaco Oval all those years ago.

“I’m pretty sure I mention it to someone at least once or twice a year that I played on Subiaco Oval in the first Woodside Cup,” Atkinson said.

“Running onto the field was pretty awesome and definitely gave me an incentive to work harder and be better.

Atkinson’s journey has been full circle, now working for Woodside at its gas plant in Karratha.

“Day to day (at Woodside) I go out and fix equipment to make sure everything is working fine in the plant and I teach new apprentices,” Atkinson said.

“Having a company like Woodside invest in youth going through school and just being there to give them opportunities to have experiences like this is awesome.” 

Connolly was pleased to see Atkinson’s transition from Clontarf student to enjoying his work at Woodside.  

“The fact that Scott Atkinson now works with us in Karratha is absolutely amazing,” Connolly said.

“He was one of the first that played with the Woodside Cup as a Clontarf boy and seeing him grow and learn and progress his career is absolutely awesome. 

“Investing in others is critical at Woodside, it’s part of the way we operate.

“Our organisation is very focused on continually lifting the bar on capability, stretching, growing and providing opportunities for people to learn.”

This year’s Woodside Cup also marks a month since Fremantle and Woodside agreed to extend their partnership, with Woodside continuing as a co-major sponsor for a further three years. 

Bouncedown for the curtain raiser clash is at 1:05pm WST with the presentation of the Woodside Cup at 2.20pm WST.

The academies participating this year are: Carnarvon, Cecil Andrews, Clontarf, Coodanup, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton, Gilmore, Girrawheen, Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Katanning, North Albany, Northam, Newton Moore, Sevenoaks and Swan View.

Students were nominated by their teachers for their exemplary leadership, attitude and commitment to school.