The Queensland Schools representative teams will compete at Knox Grammar in Sydney this week for the first time since 2019, following a two-year hiatus due to COVID.
Two XV-a-side open boys teams have travelled to Sydney to compete at the 48th Australian Schools Rugby Championship, as well as for the first time, U16 and U18 Queensland Invitation Sevens teams.
The teams were selected following the Queensland Schools State Championships held at Sunnybank in June, after they were previously delayed due to wet weather and field closures.
“It’s exciting for everyone involved from students through to the QRFSU (Queensland Rugby Football School Union) executives, it’s a special opportunity to represent their state and compete for selection in Australian Schoolboys,” said QRSFU Chairman Clint Curran.
“While Rugby didn’t stop over the past few years, representative Rugby did so it’s great to have the program up and running once again.
“This will be the 35th year that QRFSU have brought teams to the National Championships, and for the first time we have entered two invitational girls teams, a milestone moment for Queensland Schools Rugby and we look forward to continuing to build the girls pathway at the state level.
“In terms of our preparation, the focus has been on pushing through challenges. Our State Championships and some of the regional events were postponed due to wet weather and evening travelling to Sydney, while other teams are staying on site at Knox Grammar, our team have travelled down with their families due to COVID restrictions in place.
“Wet weather continues to cause problems with the weather event currently impacting NSW so we have encouraged the teams to embrace the Queensland spirit and overcome any challenge that comes our way.
“When you look across the two boys teams, we have every region in Queensland represented, we have a good talent pool from across the state and the two teams that competed in our State Championship Grand Final – Sunshine Coast and Met East – are well represented. We’re looking forward to seeing the teams come together on the field.
“Even within out coaching and management team we have a diverse group of regions represented as well as different sections of education.
“As chairman of Queensland School Rugby, I get told regularly how important our pathway is to provide access to players from the state. We have reach across Queensland and no matter where players live, we have and education system that allows students from across the state to aspire for higher honours within the game.
“It’s important to acknowledge the teachers across Queensland who have all worked hard to provide this opportunity for our students. Our programs are run on a volunteer basis by the teachers, who give up their time as people who love the game.
“We’re also appreciative of the support from the QRU, namely Gaven Head and Grant Dwyer within Community Rugby, who have supported our tournaments.”
The Queensland Schoolboys teams are in action this afternoon, while the Queensland Invitational Girls teams will begin their campaign tomorrow.
Matches will be streamed via the NSW Rugby TV app, more information can be found here: https://schoolsrugby.com.au/watch-the-championships-on-nsw-rugby-tv/
DRAW: https://schoolsrugby.com.au/48th-schools-rugby-championship/
BOYS TEAM LISTS: https://schoolsrugby.com.au/boys-team-lists/ GIRLS TEAM LISTS U16s: https://schoolsrugby.com.au/girls-team-lists-u16/
GIRLS TEAM LISTS U18s: https://schoolsrugby.com.au/girls-team-lists-open/
