They finished on top of their division on points, but it was the silverware for sportsmanship over the weekend that St Patrick’s College Strathfield were most proud about winning at the 20th TAS Rugby Carnival held at The Armidale School on the weekend.
A record 66 teams from NSW, Queensland, the ACT and Western Australia took to the fields in this year’s competition, with more than 1200 players from 32 school teams and junior clubs celebrating the best values of junior rugby.
In the under 12s 15-a-side, 44 teams played in seven divisions, the top tier being taken out by Nudgee College, Brisbane, on a count-back over The Scots College Preparatory School, Sydney.
Meanwhile in the girls Sevens tournament, Merewether Carlton JRU snared the title of the 16s girls with runners up Uni Rugby Club from Toowoomba, making their debut, winning the under 14s.
St Pat’s head coach Macguire Tatola said while the team were excited to be winners of the under 12s division 2 competition, the players were more excited about winning the coveted Canterbury Spirit of Rugby trophy.
“The culture of the carnival is just exceptional – a wonderful atmosphere, terrific hospitality, it’s so well organised and the excellent sportsmanship on display from every school and club,” he said.
“And for our players and parents, it’s also a wonderful excuse to take a road trip out of the city.”
The carnival is also an important development opportunity for junior referees, with 26, supported by referee coaches, on the whistle for the more than 200 game including finals.
Principal Ray Pearson said it was a massive event not just for TAS, but Armidale and the wider New England.
“Each year the carnival brings in thousands of people, and we were delighted to this year welcome new teams from as far as Wellington in southern NSW and Perth. But it’s only possible due to the goodwill of the TAS community – the effort our grounds staff put into preparing the eight fields, of our parents and friends for baking and barbecuing, and the fact that more than 750 of the players and staff stay on site is testament to so many of our staff who make it possible, including kitchen, housekeeping and a team that work through the night to wash the jerseys of every player, ready for the second day,” he said.
TEAM OF THE CARNIVAL
St Patrick’s College, Strathfield NSW
DIVISION WINNERS
Under 12s (15-a-side)
Division 1 Nudgee College, Brisbane QLD
Division 2 St Patrick’s College, Strathfield NSW
Division 3 Shore School, Sydney, NSW
Division 4 Kalamunda Districts, Perth, WA
Division 5 Highland Goats, Armidale, NSW
Division 6 Scone Grammar School, NSW
Division 7 Caboolture RUC, QLD
GIRLS’ SEVENS
Under 16s Merewether Carlton JRU, Newcastle NSW
Under 14s Uni Rugby Club, Toowoomba QLD
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