MORE than 100 teams from Brisbane Catholic Education primary schools have put their hands up to participate in a rugby sevens tournament aimed at increasing engagement and access with sports for boys and girls at primary school age.
BCE Executive Director Miss Pam Betts said the BCE Rugby Sevens carnival provided an amazing opportunity for younger students of all abilities to showcase their athletic talents and to work alongside Queensland greats.
“We have had a terrific response, with just over 100 teams competing from across 37 primary and Prep-Year 12 schools across southeast Queensland,” she said.
“I am really looking forward to seeing staff and students from our schools engage with our friends at the Reds in a safe and fun environment.
“These carnivals also are a great opportunity for our schools to connect with each other and enable children from across our system to access an experience of sport and wellbeing which is quite unique.”
Brisbane Catholic Education, in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union and Queensland Reds, revived its rugby sevens carnival this year, after the system wide partnership was launched with great success in 2019.
The carnival aims to encourage participation in professional and high-quality sporting experiences for primary-aged children in Catholic schools, which have a fine history of contributing to Australian rugby teams over the years.
World Cup-winning captain John Eales attended a Brisbane Catholic Education school while his late father Jack was a long-serving principal.
This year’s carnival finishes tomorrow as the third of three days with sport played at Kenmore Rugby Union Club, St Laurence’s playing fields and Padua College’s playing fields.
The carnival has the support of school staff, referees and first aid officers co-ordinated by the QRU.
Miss Betts said there was a wonderful history of Catholic school students participating in rugby union, including those who have excelled with the Wallabies and been part of our World Cup victories.
She said events of this scale cold not happen without the support of the QRU staff and parents who contribute in many ways.
“Our partnership with the Queensland Rugby Union and the Queensland Reds over the past few years has helped us to grow these opportunities for students in our primary schools,” she said.
“It is invaluable for the successful running of these tournaments over three days in different locations.
“Our thanks to those who have provided the venue for the three days – St Laurence’s College, Padua College and Kenmore Rugby Union Club.”
