2023 Confraternity Shield Preview

Most young rugby league players dream they are one of the super-stars of our game. I know I did when I was attending Mount Carmel College in Charters Towers back in 1967. Australia had just returned from a Kangaroo tour and the stars of the game included future ‘Immortals’ like Reg Gasnier and John Raper. None of us ever dreamt that a competition like the Confraternity Shield would breed ‘Home Grown Heroes’. We were content to see a token player from Queensland make a Kangaroo team and if we defeated New South Wales in one out of the four interstate games played, we were over the moon.

Two remarkable things happened in 1980. The first State of Origin game was played with Queensland defeating New South Wales and the first ever Queensland Independent Schools Rugby League carnival was held in Bundaberg. Since 1980 both events have transformed rugby league in Australia, and it could be said that the success of the Queensland Origin team was born with the success of the Confraternity Shield.

That the Confraternity Shield and the Independent Secondary Schools that support it are not the nurseries for rugby league in this country is beyond doubt.

This is our first attempt at producing a Confraternity Shield preview, and we’d like to thank the many teachers, managers, coaches, and volunteers for their patience and assistance in submitting information and photos.

All the best to the 64 teams that are playing at this carnival. Play hard and remember, keep your eye on the ball.

Regards,

Tony Price