St Patrick’s, Mercy College launch Confraternity Shield and QISSN ahead of 2022 tournaments

The elite sporting events are expected to inject $6 million into the Mackay economy as more than 120 teams descend on Mackay. Find out more.

Mackay’s sporting fans have enjoyed a fruitful year of elite-level competition on the region’s doorstep, and that trend is set to continue into 2022.

St Patrick’s College and Mercy College will host the Confraternity Shield and the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball competitions in Mackay, in what will be a major boost to the region.

(From left) Sophie Novosel, Rebecca Symons, Janelle Agius, Henry Thorpe and Paige Zeller ahead of the Confraternity Shield and QISSN launch night in Mackay, October 27, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

More than 1700 junior athletes and 6000 spectators are expected to touch down in Mackay for the tournament, which will be held in the last week of June 2022.

Mercy College assistant principal Scott McSherry said it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the region’s sporting facilities.

“Nowhere else in the state has nine rugby league fields within the same complex,” he said.

(From left) Sophie Novosel, Rebecca Symons, Henry Thorpe and Paige Zeller ahead of the Confraternity Shield and QISSN launch night in Mackay, October 27, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“It’s showcasing the fantastic facilities in the region, and to host an event that will draw attention to the region is also a huge benefit.

“We’ve had fantastic support from the council, Mayor Greg Williamson is right behind our carnival and is helping our team of people.”

It will be the first time Mackay has hosted the QISSN tournament, while it has been 26 years since the Confraternity Shield has been competed for in the region.

Henry Thorpe during the St Patrick's College and Rockhampton Grammar clash, August 18, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

The region will host 64 netball and 60 rugby league teams, which is expected to inject $6m into the local economy.

St Pat’s and Mercy College Principal Janelle Agius said it was fantastic event for the two schools, which will merge in 2023, to host together.

“To jointly host the event is really exciting since the two schools will be a combined college in a couple of years,” she said.

(From left) Rebecca Symons, Teresa Draghorn and Paige Zeller ahead of the QISSN tournament launch night in Mackay, October 27, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“The whole event is a great opportunity to put us on the map as a sporting town, so to host the event is really exciting, not only for the schools but also for the region.”

St Patrick’s College will host the Confraternity Shield in 2022. Picture: Matthew Forrest.

Originally published as St Patrick’s, Mercy College launch Confraternity Shield and QISSN ahead of 2022 tournaments