HATS off to Yamba Public School and the results it achieved at the recent regional finals of the Paul Kelly Cup.

The boys just missed out on making it to state finals when they lost the final to West Kempsey, but the girls have booked their trip to Sydney where they will get to play on the Sydney Cricket Ground after winning the final.

When you consider five years ago there was almost no such thing as Australian rules in Yamba, it's an incredible result.

There are a few diehards who deserve a pat on the back for the success, including teacher Ian Clifford.

He's a believer, that's for sure, and the game has gone from strength to strength in Yamba thanks to his passion.

Last year and the year before Yamba was getting 100 kids on a Wednesday night for Auskick and juniors.

Not all of them turned into weekend players but it proved the interest was there.