Famous Queensland school sport carnivals set to return in 2021

Two of Queensland's biggest school sports events will return this year after being a forced hiatus, and with a new sponsor on board.

TWO of Queensland’s biggest school sport events renowned as breeding grounds for top athletes are set to return after being forced into hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League Confraternity carnival and the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball carnival together involve more than 100 schools, with CQUniversity announcing a three-year partnership deal to support the events.

Netball players Mia Tuigamala, 16, Kaylah Pratt, 16, Mikayla White, 15, and Keely Guy, 16, pictured at St Thomas More College, Brisbane 17th of February 2021. They are set to compete in the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Carnival in June 2021. Picture: Josh Woning

Past Confraternity carnival graduates include NRL stars Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Munster and most recently Xavier Coates, who starred in Queensland’s 2020 State of Origin series win after playing in the 2019 carnival.

NRL star Johnathan Thurston pictured while playing Confraternity Shield with St Mary's. Picture: Supplied

The event has grown from six schools in 1980 to 48, with more than 1000 Year 12 players expected to take part.

Meanwhile the netball carnival has also expanded rapidly since its beginning 21 years ago.

It has produced multiple champion netballers including Queensland Firebirds Jemma Mi Mi and Candice Adams, with 64 schools set to compete in 2021.

Queensland Firebirds star Jemma Mi Mi in action. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Both events will be held from June 27 to July 2, with Iona College set to host the Confraternity carnival while Brisbane’s St James College will host the netball carnival.

CQUniversity associate vice-president Chris Veraa said the institute was thrilled to partner with the long-standing events, adding one exciting aspect was the provision of CQUniversity scholarships to some of the QISSRL and QISSN participants.

“As one of Australia’s most accessible and engaged universities with a footprint spanning five states of Australia, we’re well-placed to offer QISSRL and QISSN students with flexibility, accessibility and support in their life after school whether they choose a University or TAFE pathway,” Mr Veraa said.