The 2025 AIC Football season was one for the record books, with over 250 teams competing across all year levels – the highest number of teams in the competition’s history. The season also marked exciting growth for the Association, welcoming St Edmund’s Primary into AIC Football for the first time and the continued inclusion of Ambrose Treacy College to the primary divisions and secondary supplementary competitions. These additions furthered the Association’s commitment to providing inclusive and meaningful sporting opportunities for all students.

Beyond the historic participation, the season delivered compelling storylines, including a First XI premiership that went down to the final round and St Laurence’s College securing a third consecutive Football Aggregate Shield.

First XI Football Premiership – A Dramatic Finish

In what will go down as one of the most thrilling First XI seasons ever, four teams entered the final round with a shot at the premiership title. Marist College Ashgrove and St Patrick’s College held the advantage, knowing that a win would guarantee at least a share of the premiership. Meanwhile, Padua College and St Laurence’s College needed victory and favourable results elsewhere to keep their hopes alive.

St Laurence’s struck first, winning their final fixture and putting pressure on the other contenders. At Banyo, a bumper crowd witnessed a fierce battle between Padua and Marist College Ashgrove. Locked at 1-1 late in the game, Marist found a decisive goal to secure a 2-1 victory and at least a share of the premiership.

Attention then turned to Villanova Park, where St Patrick’s faced Villanova College in the final match of the season. St Patrick’s scored early, and despite the high tension throughout the contest, sealed a 2-0 win with a late second goal. That result meant the First XI Premiership was shared between Marist College Ashgrove and St Patrick’s College – both teams finishing the season undefeated with identical records of 5 wins and 2 draws.

Mr Blair Whitlock, Marist College Ashgrove First XI Coach and Director of Football, praised the achievement. “We’re incredibly proud of the 2025 First XI playing group and the way they’ve represented the Marist Football program and our College. Many of these players have worn the First XI jersey since Year 10, and they leave behind a legacy of excellence with back-to-back premierships in 2024 and 2025. Congratulations also to a quality St Patrick’s team who pushed us all the way and thoroughly deserve to share the title.” Mr Whitlock said.

St Patrick’s College Coach, Mr Dan Medhurst, also reflected proudly on the historic season: “What a season – what a team! This fantastic achievement was only possible thanks to the commitment of our players, coaches, and support staff. We created a hardworking culture, and every week the boys delivered – not just with skill, but with intensity and fitness. I’m so proud of everyone involved.”

Marist College Ashgrove – Joint 1st XI Football Premiers!

St Patrick’s College – Joint 1st XI Football Premiers!

Football Aggregate Championship – St Laurence’s Go Back-to-Back-to-Back
The AIC Football Aggregate Shield remains one of the most sought-after titles, rewarding overall school excellence across all premiership divisions. Following a shared title between Marist and St Laurence’s in 2024, expectations were high for another tight contest.

That’s exactly what played out. Across the season, only a few points separated the top three schools – St Laurence’s College, Marist College Ashgrove, and Padua College. The final placings came down to head-to-head clashes between these programs, with St Laurence’s impressive depth proving decisive. They claimed 7 of the 12 Aggregate Premierships on offer, earning them the 2025 Football Aggregate Shield – equalling the record with their 12th title.

St Laurence’s Director of Football, Mr Matthew Zannes, acknowledged the whole-of-program effort. “We at SLC Football are delighted to secure the Aggregate Shield for a third straight year. It’s a testament to the dedication of our coaches and the strong foundations we’ve built as a Manchester City Football School. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of players and staff across every year level.”

2025 Aggregate Table 

Premiership Results 

Primary 
The participation in primary fixtures each week during the 2025 season was incredible. In the Year 5 divisions alone- there was over 50 teams participating across the 9 schools (8 member Colleges and ATC). This made for some very good fixtures for students of all abilities. There are no premierships awarded in primary AIC competition but this does not detract from the quality of performance of students.

Acknowledgment and Thanks 
The AIC would like to thank Football Queensland for their support of AIC Football through the supplying of referees to AIC fixtures and hosting a referee’s course for aspiring AIC student referees before the season. The AIC would also like to thank all of the referees that support member Colleges in covering the many AIC fixtures each and every weekend.

Looking Ahead
The 2025 AIC Football season set new standards in participation, competitiveness, and school pride. With so many schools continuing to invest in quality programs and students embracing the opportunity to represent their colleges with pride, the future of AIC Football has never looked brighter.