Term 1 AIC Sport is always exciting with the commencement of the school year. It is the first opportunity for new students commencing their AIC sporting journey to represent their school in a weekly sporting competition and at major events like the AIC Swimming Championships watched by thousands of spectators. AIC Sport in Term 1 2024 included some history making victories and achievements, as well the continued growth in overall participation in sport that the AIC prides itself on.

Australian Rules Football
The AIC Australian Rules Football competition continued to grow in 2024. 98 teams competed in AIC competitions- an increase of 17% on 2023 numbers. When secondary AFL was added to the AIC competition in 2019, there were only 3 divisions, this year schools competed across 8 secondary divisions and for the first time ever in the primary school competition, some schools entered a fourth or fifth team in year levels to fill any available vacancies in the draw. Again, this year Ambrose Treacy College was invited to participate in AIC AFL Fixtures as a guest of the Association which allowed for greater depth of competition across divisions.

The “Aggregate Competition” for Champion AFL school was an incredibly close contest. The AIC AFL Aggregate competition is calculated by combining the final, standings of the 7A, 8A, 9A and First XVIII premierships together. Each year, the competition is traditionally decided by the barest of margins and 2024 was no different. Going into the last round between Padua and St Laurence’s the two schools were neck and neck. After a hard-fought last round between the two schools, St Laurence’s were able to secure the ‘Aggregate Shield’, claiming the championship by a solitary point over Padua. Villanova finished third in the Aggregate Competition.

For the first time in AIC AFL history, the AIC First XVIII premiership was shared by 3 schools – Marist College Ashgrove, Padua College and St Laurence’s College. In Round 2 of competition Padua defeated Marist College Ashgrove in the annual “Andrews-Cameron” Cup fixture. This contest celebrates the strong AFL bond that exists between the two schools forged from the great relationship between Brisbane Lions stars and proud ‘Old Boys’ – Harris Andrews (Padua) and Charlie Cameron (Marist College Ashgrove). Marist College Ashgrove were able to put themselves back into premiership contention with a win against the previously undefeated St Laurence’s in Round 6 which set up an exciting last round between the undefeated Padua and St Laurence’s (1 loss). In a game of the highest standard, and in front of a very large crowd, St Laurence’s was able to prevail and secured a shared premiership with Marist College Ashgrove and Padua.

The level of talent that exists in the AIC AFL competition is incredible. The standard of competition grows each and every year with some very close contests between teams from each school. Congratulations to St Laurence’s (2nd XVIII, 9B,8A*,8B, 7B), Padua (9A, 7A) and Villanova (8A*) who won AIC Australian Rules Football Premierships in 2024.

CRICKET
In 2024, the number of teams participating in the AIC Cricket competition increased, with over 2000 students participating each weekend across Years 5 to 12. The AIC Cricket competition caters for students of all abilities with matches consisting of the shortened T20 version of the game through to the First XI fixtures which follow the “International One Day 50 Over” format.

History was made in 2024 in the “Aggregate Competition” for Champion Cricket school of AIC. The AIC Cricket Aggregate competition is calculated by combining the final standings of the 7A/B, 8A/B, 9A/B, 10A/B and First XI/Second XI premierships together. In the history of the AIC – only Marist College Ashgrove (17 Aggregate Championships) and Villanova College (6 Aggregate Championships) have secured the coveted “Aggregate Shield”. 2024 witnessed a showdown between Iona College and St Patrick’s College for the mantle of the champion overall Cricket College in the AIC which by coincidence would be resolved in Round 7 contest between the two schools. After a hard-fought day of cricket across all of the age groups, St Patrick’s was able to be crowned AIC Cricket Aggregate Champions for 2024! Iona finished second and Marist College Ashgrove third.

Iona College claimed an undefeated First XI Cricket Premiership in 2024. This is an incredible achievement and was built on strong all-round performances highlighted by prolific batting displays. In every game that the Iona team were required to bat first, the team was able to score over 200 runs- to do this over an entire AIC season is unprecedented. St Peters finished runners up with Marist College Ashgrove.

Congratulations to the following Colleges who won premierships in the respective competitions year level competitions: Iona (2nd XI, 8B*), Marist College Ashgrove (3rd XI, 8B*, 7C), Villanova (10A), St Patrick’s (10B, 9A, 9B*, 9C*, 8A, 8B*, 8C, 7A) and St Laurence’s (9B*, 7B).

SWIMMING
On Tuesday 5 March, the Association hosted our annual Swimming Championships. This is always a major day on the AIC calendar and the 2024 Competition definitely did not disappoint with a number of outstanding individual and overall team performances. In 2024, the Association again invited Ambrose Treacy College to compete in the championships as a guest, joining the 8 member Colleges for a memorable day of swimming action.

11 AIC Swimming Championship records were broken throughout the day. In one of the most hotly contested races of the day, both St Peters Lutheran College (1:49.02) and Marist College Ashgrove (1:49.56) broke the previous record (1:50.35) in the 16 years 4 X 50m Medley Relay. Finn Morton (St Peters) highlighted the record-breaking achievements with 3 records on the day.

The Primary Aggregate championship was a very close tussle throughout the day with the lead changing almost after every primary school event. The Villanova team was determined to retain the shield they had won in 2023 with both Marist College Ashgrove and Iona College battling also to regain the championship that both colleges have claimed multiple times since the primary championship was first swum in 2015. After a solid performance by Iona’s four, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay teams to finish the carnival, Iona were able to claim the primary championship for a third time and first time since 2016. Marist College Ashgrove finished second with Villanova in third.

The AIC Secondary Championship over the last decade has been dominated by St Peters and Marist College Ashgrove with many memorable clashes between the two ‘swimming powerhouses’. 2024 was no different. St Peters started the carnival extraordinarily well- winning eleven of the first twelve secondary school events to set a strong marker for the rest of the day. Outside the two schools battling it out for first place in the championship, competition was fierce for 3rd place between Villanova, St Laurence’s and Iona with each score check showing the schools within just a handful of points. After an outstanding display in the final freestyle relays, St Peters were able to cement their position as AIC Secondary Swimming Champions for 2024 and claim the title for a 12th time. In 2025 they will be seeking to equal Marist College Ashgrove’s AIC Record of 13 Swimming Championships. Marist College Ashgrove finished second in 2024, with Villanova holding off St Laurence’s to claim third position.

Congratulations to the following Colleges for claiming individual Year Level Trophies: St Peters (Open, 16 Years*, 15 Years, 13 Years, 12 Years), Marist College Ashgrove (16 years*, Year 5) and Iona (Year 6).

To relive the atmosphere and competition on the day, please click on the link below.

AIC Swimming Championships 2024 Video

VOLLEYBALL
In 2024, close to 2000 boys participated in the AIC Volleyball season. All schools were well represented across the year levels. The atmosphere inside AIC Volleyball venues is always exciting, particularly with the closeness of games and final sets being decided by the barest of margins. It is wonderful to see the commitment of AIC schools in giving opportunities to their students though out the year by participating in both Volleyball Queensland Schools Cup competitions, as well as the Australian Schools Cup held in December on the Gold Coast. Participation in these events assist in the development of the skills throughout the AIC season.

The AIC Volleyball Aggregate competition is calculated by combining the final standings of the 7A/B, 8A/B, 9A/B, 10A/B, 11A and First VI/Second VI/Third VI premierships together. In an unprecedented Volleyball Aggregate result, Iona College was crowned champions with a record score of 87 “Aggregate Points”. Iona was able to win or come 2nd or equal 2nd in eleven out of the twelve aggregate premierships. This an outstanding effort from the school and their 13th Aggregate Volleyball Championship in the history of AIC – the most of any school. St Laurence’s finished 2nd and Padua in 3rd place.

In a season that recorded more 5 set fixtures than many people can remember, Iona College was able to remain undefeated and secure the First VI Volleyball Premiership. An excellent team display which was built on strong defense which enabled the team good possession to build powerful attacks laid the foundation for the Iona team to win the premiership. Villanova and St Peters finished the season in second place in the First VI Premiership

The depth of talent within AIC Volleyball is incredible. Competition is fierce in all divisions – from the First VI through to the 7D competition. This year, six out of the eight AIC schools were able to secure a Volleyball premiership.

Congratulations to the following Colleges who won premierships in the respective competitions: Iona (2nd VI*, 10B, 10C, 10D, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D*, 8B, 8C, 8D, 7B*, 7D*), Marist College Ashgrove (2nd VI*, 4th VI*), St Laurence’s (3rd VI, 11A, 11B, 10A, 9D*, 7C), Padua (9D*, 7B*), St Edmund’s (8A, 7D*) and St Patrick’s (7A).