THE fields are marked, the tents are up and the draw is done for the largest under 12s rugby carnival in Australia, to be staged by The Armidale School this weekend.
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In its 14th year, the TAS Rugby Carnival has attracted some fresh blood – including Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika, who will be the special guest at the official presentation on Sunday.
‘’It will be great to see so many talented kids giving it a real crack out on the field. Grassroots rugby is where it all begins and these kids could be the next generation of Wallabies or Wallaroos players,’’ Cheika said
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Over the two days, 44 teams from 21 schools and 16 clubs from across three states will play 108 games of rugby in an atmosphere of friendly competition.
The 950-odd players expected to be cheered on by more than 1000 supporters who will travel from Dalby and the Sunshine Coast in the north, to the NSW Southern Highlands and much of the New England North West. Among the newcomers this year is the Perth-based Western Spirit, one of three teams competing for the first time.
There are five divisions, based on teams of similar ability. A highlight of each carnival is the Spirit of Rugby relay, a foot race comprising four players from every team running the length of the school’s backfield.
Among those who have attended as either special guests or in a private capacity as parents, are former Wallaby greats Nick Farr-Jones, Paddy Ryan, Phil Kearns, John Eales and Rod Kafer, and former Rugby Australia CEO Mr Bill Pulver who was the special guest in 2014.
It’s not just the players who have been in training for months for the big event; the preparation has been just as long for the school’s groundsmen who have been working for months to ensure the eight ovals will hold up magnificently, whilst the housekeeping and kitchen staff will also be kept busy over the weekend.
TAS Director of Co-curricular and carnival convenor Will Caldwell said the event brings together the best of school-aged rugby.
“The carnival continues to be a success because the clubs and schools participating appreciate the opportunity for their players to engage in friendly competition against teams from far and wide in an atmosphere that is all about the spirit of rugby,” he said.
“This is reflected in the fact that the main Team of the Carnival trophy isn’t for the best playing team, but the one that reflects outstanding sportsmanship and embodies the best values of the game on and off the field.”
TEAMS: Ambrose Treacy College; Avoca Beach; Balmain Wolves; Brothers RC; Caboolture Snakes; Cranbrook School; Dalby Wheatmen; Matthew Flinders Anglican College; Gordon Junior RC; Highland Goats; Inverell Highlanders; Lismore City Juniors; Moree Junior Bulls; Pacific Lutheran College; Padua College; Redfield College; Scone Grammar School; Shore School; Southern District Juniors; South Toowoomba RUFC; St Aloysius’ College; St Ignatius College Riverview; St Joseph’s College Nudgee; St Laurence's College; St Patrick's College; St Pius X College; Sunshine Coast Grammar School; Sydney Grammar Prep School; Toowoomba Anglican College and Prep School; Tamworth Tri-Colours; The Armidale School; The King’s School Preparatory School; The Scots College Prep School; Toowoomba Bears; Tudor House Prep School; Waverley College; Western Spirit.
