Four Shalom College teams head to Townsville with high hopes today, in the 44th annual Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League Confraternity Carnival boys and girls divisions and also both genders in the 24th annual Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN) Carnival.
Shalom inaugurated QISSN in 2000, 20 years after the college’s forerunner Christian Brothers College created “Confro” with humble beginnings with six teams back in 1980.
They have eight survivors from the side which achieved Shalom’s best ever finish in Confraternity history, placing fifth in Division 1 last year including with famous victories over St Edmund’s Ipswich, St Mary’s Toowoomba, Iona College Brisbane and St Augustine’s Cairns.
Co-captains will be second rower Joseph Doyle and electrifying halfback Preston Walsh, winger Lachlan Campbell, who bagged a double as they upset St Mary’s Toowoomba 12 months ago, centre Owen Hess, five-eighth Jomar Gustilo, front rowers Ryan Charteris and Billy MacDonald, and hooker Levi Monckton.
Joseph has been a revelation for Past Brothers in the Bundaberg Rugby League A Grade competition this season, starting the season on the interchange bench, before being promoted to the starting winger and scoring four and two tries respectively in their last two games, in addition to racking up 12 tries in six games in under 18.
Shalom’s former NRL star coach Antonio Kaufusi, who also played State of Origin and Test football for Australia and Tonga during his distinguished career, is looking to the duo to lead from the front, and he is confident they will acquit themselves well again.
“We had a couple of trials against Mountain Creek and Redcliffe State High, then we went straight into the Dolphins Cup and got a bit of a wake-up call against St Brendan’s Yeppoon.
“But then we beat Rocky Grammar 24-18 after leading 24-0 10 minutes into the second half and I was not disappointed to concede three late tries – they were chasing points and chancing their arm, but still we have got to be a lot better – we have to hit and stick and close the game out better,” Antonio said.
“But Rocky Grammar are a quality side and will give a lot of teams headaches.
“We have done a lot of work leading up to this and hope to get the rewards we deserve.
“Our seniors were awesome last year and our year 12’s are a year older and stronger, but it is up to the current year 11’s to step up in this arena.
“But I can’t be happier with how we have prepared but we have to make sure the boys are ready to rock and roll from game one.”
Shalom’s pool games are against Marymount College Gold Coast and St Patrick’s Shorncliffe on Monday, and hosts Ignatius Park College on Tuesday morning.
Shalom placed sixth in girls’ rugby league in Brisbane last year, and new coach Neil Tuima and continuing manager Isabella Bundesen are confident they will once again “compete at the highest level and be the best they can as a team”, led by captain Jessica Taylor.
In their pool, they will do battle with Emmaus Rockhampton and Mt Maria on Monday and St Patrick’s Mackay on Tuesday, before teams are divided into groups for the finals.
Netball
In girls’ netball, Shalom will contest Division 3/4 in Pool C with St Patrick’s Mackay, Carmel College Thornlands, Clairvaux Mackillop College Mt Gravatt, St Joseph’s College Toowoomba, Holy Spirit College Mackay, St Thomas More College Sunnybank and St Ursula’s College Toowoomba.
St Luke’s Anglican School will also fly the Bundaberg flag in Girls Division 5/6, in Pool E with St Mary’s College Cairns, Xavier Catholic College Hervey Bay, Rockhampton Girls Grammar, Our Lady of the Southern Cross College Dalby, Good Shepherd Catholic College Mt Isa, Marist College Emerald, and Assisi Catholic College Upper Coomera.
In boys’ netball, Shalom are the sole local representative in Division 1/2 with St James College Brisbane, Chanel College Gladstone, Mt Maria College Mitchelton, St Mary’s Catholic College Kingaroy and Southern Cross Catholic College Scarborough.
Shalom won their girls’ netball division in 2023 and coach Kylee Johnstone and captain Jessica Taylor are both confident of another strong showing.
Shalom placed fifth of 18 in boys’ netball last year with seven wins, two draws and two losses, and coach Nadia Tairawhiti taking her “very different playing group” to again acquit themselves well.
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