AIC Schools Head to Townsville for Confraternity Rugby League Carnival

From the 24 June- 28 June, seven of the AIC schools will be in Townsville competing at the annual Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League (QISSRL) Carnival- more affectionally and historically known as the “Confraternity” Carnival. The carnival gives each school wonderful preparation for the AIC Rugby League season in Term 3.

Iona’s 2024 Confraternity Team was presented with their jerseys by Old Boy and Dolphins NRL star- Max Plath.

Iona, Marist College Ashgrove, Padua, St Edmund’s and St Patrick’s will battle it out in Division 1 at the Carnival against some of the strongest and well-known Rugby League schools in Queensland. St Laurence’s and Villanova will compete in Division 2 of the competition with St Laurence’s looking to go one place better after being Division 2 runners up in 2023. Last year, Villanova attended the carnival for the first time and were able to secure the Confraternity ‘Bowl’ competition.

AIC schools have a proud tradition in the competition. Both St Edmund’s and Padua took part in the initial carnival held in 1980. Of the AIC schools, only Padua College have claimed the coveted Confraternity Shield as champions of Division 1. Padua has claimed the shield on three occasions- 1984, 1997 and 2005. AIC schools have also proudly hosted this major event on many occasions including most recently St Laurence’s in 2023.

Villanova Confraternity Team (2023) played at Suncorp Stadium

As a part of the competition in 2023, St Laurence’s played Villanova at Suncorp Stadium as a curtain raiser to a Brisbane Broncos game. In 2024, the Girls Competition Final will be played as the curtain raiser to the deciding match in the Women’s State of Origin series in Townsville.

The Confraternity Carnival is regarded as one of the strongest schools Rugby League competitions and a large number of NRL, State of Origin and Australian Rugby League stars have competed at the carnival. Famous players to have competed at the Confraternity Carnival include current Queensland Maroon stars (Lindsay Collins – Padua Old Boy), Daly Cherry-Evans, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates.

2023 Confraternity Carnival Opening Mass- hosted by St Laurence’s

An important part of the carnival that has been a major contributing factor to its growth and longevity is the concept of the “Spirit of Confraternity”. The strong relationship that exists between schools that builds through positive competition can be traced back to the origins of the competition. Each year this spirit builds and is further highlighted with all participants engaging in the carnival’s opening mass.

Each game of the carnival is livestreamed so that families and supporters can watch games even if they are unable to make it to the carnival in Townsville. Please visit the QISSRL website for Livestream Links, full carnival draw and further information on the history of the carnival.

Confraternity Carnival Homepage

AIC schools will start their carnivals on Monday 24 June with the following fixtures:

AIC School First Game Opposition Time (Monday 24 June)
Iona College Emmaus (Rockhampton) 12:00 midday
Marist College Ashgrove Padua 12:00 midday
Padua College Marist College Ashgrove 12:00 midday
St Edmund’s College St Mary’s (Toowoomba) 12:00 midday
St Laurence’s College Blackheath and Thornburgh (Charters Towers) 11:10am
St Patrick’s College Ignatius Park (Townsville) 12:50pm
Villanova College St Joseph’s College (Toowoomba) 10:20am

The AIC wishes all schools the best of luck for this wonderful competition. The Association looks forward to the competition and experiences gained from such a strong carnival helping to build the AIC Rugby League season in Term 3. We wish everyone including players, officials and supporter’s safe travels to Townsville.