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Sunshine Coast Secondary School Rugby competition kicked off last week with over 45 teams nominated across both boys and girls competition. For the first time in a number of years both Boys and Girls competitions will be played concurrently in an effort to provide rugby to as many players/students on the Sunshine Coast as possible. A huge thanks must go out to all rugby program coordinators, local club officials, SCDRA and SCRU for helping to get the season up and running.  After seven fantastic rounds of the SCSSRU Girls Tens Competition the time has arrived; Grand Final night at Sunshine Coast Stadium, and what a terrific night it is set to be. One of the special features of the SCSSRU competition structure is that it allows a majority of teams involved in the competition the chance to experience finals rugby. This year, three Grand Finals will be held in each age division allowing every school that has taken part in the competition this year to have at least one team to play on the night. In the U14's, the Division 1 fixture sees James Nash SHS take on Siena College. JNSHS are undefeated this season and have looked the goods in all their matches heralding the growth of Rugby in the Gympie region. In the other divisions, St Pat's will take on 2018 Premiers Coolum SHS while St John's Navy will play against St John's Gold in the Division 3 Grand Final. For the U16's, Siena College has been dominant all year and will play against last year's premiers St John's Navy who are finding form at the right time of the season. This is set to be one almighty showdown. In the Division 2 fixture, St Teresa's will take on St Pat's in what should be an entertaining and high scoring clash whilst Coolum SHS take on James Nash SHS in the Division 3 game. Finally, in the blue ribbon event on the night, an undefeated Siena once again take on a spirited St John's Navy outfit in the Division 1 fixture. The battle between these two schools on the Stadium Field over the course of the night will be awesome to watch. In Division 2, St Teresa's once again take on St Pat's in another epic match-up while Mt Creek SHS play against James Nash SHS in the Division 3 fixture. It truly is set to be a terrific night and a great celebration of Girls Rugby on the Sunshine Coast so do yourself a favour and get along to watch.    After four rounds of the SCSSRU Girls Tens Competition the quality of competition across all age divisions is certainly starting to improve and some high level Rugby is being played. In our U18's, Siena College are proving to be the team to beat with several strong dominant wins whilst St Pat's, St Teresa's and St John's Navy all sit just one win behind. These four teams play each in Round 5 and no doubt some close fixtures will be had. James Nash have the bye whilst Mt Creek and St John's Gold will be battling it out at the University of the Sunshine Coast. In the U16's, Siena College are once again showing their dominance while St Teresa's also join them atop the table undefeated after four rounds. Beyond that, the other sides are all showing signs of competitiveness and the St John's Gold versus Coolum SHS clash should see both teams have more of a chance than previous weeks. The St Teresa's and St John's Navy clash will see two ex-coaching partners go head to head in a battle for the ages and bragging rights. In the U14's there's no denying James Nash 1 are the team to beat whilst last years Premiers, Coolum SHS, are lurking just one win behind. Siena and St Pat's have put in strong performances of late and their battle this week will be a great duel. St John's Gold, a team made up of entirely Year 7 students, are having a roller coaster season while Mt Creek have had strong performances when they have the full quota of players. Wishing all the best to our players over the remaining three rounds as we get ready for our Grand Final evening on 11th September at Sunshine Coast Stadium.   On Wednesday night the SCSSRU Girls Tens competition kicked off across three venues on the Coast. Siena College hosted James Nash SHS in three fixtures and last year's U18 Premiers showed they are again the team to beat with convincing wins over their northern rivals in the U18's and U16's. James Nash have two teams in the U14 division showcasing the growth of the game in the Gympie region and it was James Nash Black who defeated Siena 25 - 5. A fourth game at Siena featured last year's U14 Premiers, Coolum SHS, and in a very close fixture they managed to defeat James Nash Yellow 25 - 24. In Gympie, St Pat's College hosted St John's Navy across all three fixtures. The growth of Girls Rugby at St Pat's over the past three years has been terrific to see. The fixtures at Jack Stokes Oval were all very high scoring and close battles with St John's Navy taking out all three wins. At Nambour, long term rivals St John's College and St Teresa's Catholic College battled it out in the U16 and U18 division. St Teresa's showed great dominance at the breakdown and won both games convincingly showing they are a team to watch in 2019. In the U14 division, Mt Creek and St John's Gold took part in a wonderful fixture which really showcased the sportswomanship shown within this competition. Due to a player shortage, a modified game of Sevens took place and every player left the field with a smile and having had a good time. Well done to all our players, coaches, referees and volunteers. We certainly look forward to more action next week at Noosa and Gympie.  Well what a night! The SCSSRU Grand Finals have taken place and it truly was a remarkable evening. The quality of rugby and calibre of sportsmanship on display was impeccable and credit must go to all the players, officials, coaches and supporters involved. Rugby Union is certainly alive and well on the Sunshine Coast and whilst there may be eight newly crowned Premiers, there were certainly no losers tonight. A huge thanks to the Sunshine Coast Stadium staff, SCRU staff, Assist First Aid, Sunshine Coast Referees Association , SCSSRU committee and the Sunshine Coast Daily for their support. Enjoy the off-season and we look forward to doing it all again when our Girls Rugby season kicks off in July.   Sunshine Coast Stadium is set to go crazy tomorrow night as the Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Rugby Union Competition showcases some of the best Schoolboy Rugby in Queensland. With eight grand finals across five age divisions there will be plenty of action to watch for those who choose to come on down. For those who cannot make it, the Sunshine Coast Daily will be live-streaming all games on the Stadium Field via www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au.
Good luck to all teams involved. It is set to be a great night. Stadium Field 4.00pm - U15 Div 1: Grammar v Matthew Flinders 5.10pm – 2nd XV: Siena v Grammar 6.20pm – U18 Div 2: St Teresa’s v St John’s 7.40pm – U18 Div 1: Grammar v Siena Field 7 4.00pm – U13 Div 2: Mt Creek SHS v St Teresa’s 4.50pm – U13 Div 1: Good Shepherd v Grammar 5.40pm – U14 Div 1: Grammar v St John’s 6.40pm – U15 Div 2: St John’s v James Nash SHS 2018 has seen a real resurgence of Schoolgirls Rugby on the Sunshine Coast with the Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Rugby Union Competition having taken place over the past eight weeks. 19 teams across 3 divisions from 7 schools have played weekly fixtures of 10-a-side Rugby in what has been a terrific season. All players must be commended for their conduct throughout the season and the quality of play has been exceptional. On Wednesday night, the competition concluded with the Division 1 and Division 2 Grand Finals at Noosa Rugby Club. Congratulations to our Premiership winners and our Player of the Final Award recipients. Special mention must go to Kaitlin Woods of Siena College who was awarded the inaugural Mieke Fortune Medal for the U18 Division 1 Final. The award was named in honour of Mieke Fortune who recently lost her battle her breast cancer. Mieke was a Noosa District SHS student who went on to play at two Rugby World Cups for the Wallaroos (1998 and 2002) and her passion for Rugby on and off field was unquestionable. With over 280 players competing in the competition this term it is clear that Girls Rugby is alive and kicking on the Sunshine Coast. Well done girls!    2018 has been the strongest season of Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Girls Rugby Union in well over a decade with 19 teams competing during the season. This Wednesday, 19th September, Division 1 and Division 2 Grand Finals will be held at Noosa Rugby Club. Be sure to get along to witness some of the best Girls Rugby action in Queensland. It is set to be a terrific evening on women's sport. Field 2 4.00pm - U14 Division 2 5.00pm - U16 Division 2 6.00pm - U18 Division 2 Field 1 4.30pm - U14 Division 1 5.30pm - U16 Division 1 6.30pm - U18 Division 1   |
