Mega gallery: the 100 photos from School Sport Australia Games in Newcastle

The competition has been fierce as the country's future stars have showcased their talents across Newcastle this week for the fifth instalment of the School Sport Australia Games.

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But the multisport festival, which was launched with an opening ceremony and parade at No.2 Sportsground on Sunday and concludes on Friday, has been more than just a game for 1304 school athletes.

Action from the School Sport Australia Games 2026 in Newcastle. Pictures by Peter Lorimer

While the students have represented their states across seven sports and tested themselves against Australia's other rising talents, friendships have also been forged.

"We know through evidence that engaging in representative school sport opportunities for students is very powerful in enhancing students' sense of belonging and connection to their schooling," NSW Primary Schools Sports Association Department of Education sport strategy and planning coordinator Darren Lang said.

"It gives them an opportunity to explore their area of interest at whatever level of talent they have.

"It's a tiered selection pathway, so there's many opportunities in our system from school to zone to regional to state and then into this. This is the pinnacle for them.

"Students can explore their higher potential as well. This gives them an opportunity to perform against other students who are at the same level and to challenge their abilities and boundaries."

Representatives from across Australia's states and territories have competed in 12-years-and-under national basketball, cricket, hockey, softball, golf, football and touch championships in Newcastle. A 15-years-and-under touch competition has also been played this week.

"Something else that's really powerful as part of the Games and feeds into that sense of belonging is the opportunity for the kids to meet other peers and to make friends," Lang said.

"They also form connections with kids from other states. It's about bringing more sports and more students together.

"Students also get an opportunity to go and watch their peers competing, to support NSW, and to be part of a Games environment, which can be inspiring."

Xavi Bennett (Belmont Christian College) and Lennox Lajunen-Stanaway (Stockton Public School), both 12 and aspiring professional footballers, are the only Newcastle representatives in the NSW PSSA boys' football team competing for the national title this week.

Both boys are already in A-League youth systems and competed for the Australian Football Group in the Mediterranean International Cup in Spain in January.

Newcastle's Lennox Lajunen-Stanaway, left, and Xavi Bennett are in the NSW PSSA boys football team playing at the School Sport Australia Games in Newcastle this week. Picture supplied

Bennett's father Blake said the School Sport Australia Games offered another great experience for the Newcastle pair.

"It's the best primary school players in Australia and it's a very high level," Blake said.

For the first time, a Football Australia First Nations team has participated in the Games.

In addition to competition, students attended an education day on Wednesday, where they learned about strength and conditioning, nutrition for performance, mental fitness and leadership.

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