A Schoolgirls Super 7s Series has united six schools in south-east Queensland within a new competition that mirrors the top-tier format of rugby sevens.
Rather than standalone events, the Super 7s Series is creating greater engagement with a four-stop series where the same six schools compete before the climax at the All Schools Championships in September.
The Glennie School (Toowoomba), Fairholme College (Toowoomba), St Johns College (Nambour), King’s Christian College (Gold Coast), Miami State High (Gold Coast) and Kelvin Grove State College (Brisbane) give the competition a broad representation across the region.
Linking the events in a format like the worldwide HSBC SVNS Series has been a winner.
“The schools are excited they get to play in a regular comp to grow and develop players,” said Ashlee Knight, the Queensland Rugby Union’s Female Projects Manager who has enjoyed sevens experiences throughout her own playing career.
“There’s also the schools having their own input to planning of the comp to make it their own.
“In the first year, we have six schools committed to the series.
“It was cool to launch the series recently at Miami State High where Maddi and Teagan Levi first played sevens before going on to huge things with the Australian team at World Series and Olympic level.”
The Glennie School, from Toowoomba, relished the fresh format by taking out the Under-18s with standouts Mia Byrnes and Sophia Wright.
There was also success for the school’s Under-16s when the series debuted at Miami State High on April 30.
The girls from sevens powerhouse King’s Christian College were at home on the Gold Coast and took out the Under-14s.
Tournaments on May 22 (Norths Rugby Club), August 7 (Highfields Rugby Club, Toowoomba) and August 26 (Nambour Rugby Club) are on the calendar before the All Schools on September 19-20 at the Northgate Playing Fields.
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A gathering of Vintage Reds mixed with current players at the Jubilee Hotel to watch last weekend’s Reds vs Fijian Drua match on the big screen.
The lunchtime get-together was a success, thanks to host Tony Burnett, as have been a succession of rugby events since “The Jube” partnered with the Queensland Rugby Union just over a year ago.
Former Reds Tony Shaw, David Croft, Sean Hardman, James Hanson, Michael Crank, Matt Cockbain, Tanya Osborne and Shirley Russell were amongst the Vintage Reds who joined rehabbing players Harry Wilson, Josh Flook, Frankie Goldsbrough and Co.
A special nod to the most vintage of the Vintage Reds…Errol Allan, who made his debut in the halves for Queensland against NSW in 1968.
Magic Round was on across town so Brisbane Broncos great Steve Renouf joining the casual chat at The Jube was part of the fun.
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The rebirth of Norths has been one of the most upbeat aspects of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup season to date.
The Eagles will face a different test of their growth on Saturday without key playmaker Harry Langbridge, who is out with a hip complaint.
Promising young Louis De Villiers will step up at flyhalf against GPS at Courtney Field on Saturday after playing fullback last weekend.
The good news is the return of attacking spark Alex Flanagan Smith at fullback after a week off following a head knock.
Giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is also back to add steamrolling impact.
“Our improvement each week is really encouraging and the cohesion that comes with that. The way we are managing games and staying in games is credit to young guys stepping up and doing a great job,” Norths coach Dan Ritchie said.
At Chipsy Wood Oval, the duel between quality openside flankers Kohan Herbert (Souths) and Alex Smit (Easts) will be a feature.
“When you throw in Matt Gicquel (GPS), that’s three extremely good opensides in the comp. I’m not swapping Alex for anyone…he’s having a superb season,” Easts coach Simon Craig said.
For Souths, the return of Alofa Alofa and Vili Lea in the centres stiffens the midfield. High-energy No.8 Keenan Timu will join Herbert and Reds squad forward Connor Vest in the backrow.
Last-start winners Sunnybank host Wests and undefeated Brothers meet Bond University at Crosby Park in the other matches.
