Team aims for excellence

Redcliffe State High School’s Year 7 boys Rugby League Excellence team was one of eight teams in South East Queensland to qualify in the Tonie Carroll Cup in February.

Qualifying for the cup allowed the students to compete in the Brisbane Broncos Old Boys Trophy, which started on April 30, where the team played seven games.

The boys trained for 11 weeks in total before competing in the cup.

Redcliffe State High School’s Rugby League Excellence Co-ordinator Jay Wilkinson says the excellence program gives students the opportunity to learn about the sport while playing in renowned competitions.

“They compete in what’s called the Broncos competitions, which are the best rugby league competitions in South East Queensland and pretty much Australia,” Jay says.

“It’s probably the highest standard of footy they can get at that age.

“It’s pleasing (to see the boys’ qualify). The group that we’ve got in Year 7 are really pleasing.

“They look like they’re going to be a good group who can potentially win the competition, not just be one of the teams in it, but actually aim to try and win it.”

The Excellence team competed in seven games against seven other schools during the Brisbane Broncos Old Boys Trophy.

Redcliffe State High School’s unofficial girls’ team also played at the Tonie Carroll Cup and used it as an opportunity to play against some of South East Queensland’s highly regarded schools.

“They played four games – winning two of them and going within a try of two of the most renowned schools in Marsden and Keebra Park, who have been doing the girls program for longer than us, so they’re a really promising group of girls,” Jay says.

The Brisbane Broncos Old Boys Trophy finals will take place on August 5, with the grand final on August 20.

For more information on excellence programs, visit redcliffeshs.eq.edu.au