Central Coast Sports College have turned their focus to national glory after claiming their first NSW PCYC Schoolgirls Cup.
Central Coast defeated Westfields Sports High 18-14 in a thrilling final at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Thursday to cap a stunning rise.
The school's girls rugby league program was only established five years ago and this is just their third season in the top tier.
Central Coast will now play the Queensland champions in the national final at Leichhardt Oval on September 18.
Former NRL hooker Michael Sullivan has built the team from the ground up and said Thursday's win is a reward for the hard work of the players and staff.
"I started the program just over five years ago but we wanted to aspire to a new level of competition," Sullivan said. "Three and a half years ago we spoke about early entry into the top division.
"I knew we may not be up to it in year one but we definitely would be in the future. It was true, in year one the girls got bashed up pretty bad. There were some tears and heartache and some people questioned the decision. I didn't because I knew what was coming.
"The girls went through to the final last year and that really helped today. They knew the hurt from last year and they've made the final two out of three years now.
"The girls program is really starting to thrive off the back of that success and there's more to come."
Thursday's final was locked up at 6-6 deep into the second half until Emilee-Rose Hall crashed over to put her team in front by six with 10 minutes to play.
Hine Rikiti latched on to a brilliant cut out pass moments later to cut the deficit to two and Westfields threatened to break through for the match-winner as the game opened up.
Central Coast held firm before fullback Mia Vaotuua finished off a superb piece of play to seal the result.
Captain Ellie Brander was named player of the match and credited Sullivan and former NRL playmaker Blake Austin for laying the foundation for the side's success.
"We've gone from two years ago we didn't win a game and were getting flogged 60-nil to winning a grand final," Brander said. "It's a pretty surreal feeling. I'm really proud of the girls.
"The effort we've been putting into training, we've been there every week grinding. Blake Austin and [coach Eden Taylor] have been awesome. We look up to them like big brothers."
