SECA and the NRL kick off a new era of rugby league

This week, the Brisbane Catholic Education SECA rugby league competition kicks off, marking the start of a partnership with the National Rugby League (NRL) which is set to deliver top tier rugby league to hundreds of students in 2026 and beyond. 

SECA Sport is an inter-school sporting competition bringing together 15 BCE colleges and secondary schools across South East Queensland.

 With a shared commitment to community engagement and positive participation in sport, the NRL partnership will provide BCE students with access to meaningful, well organised experiences that support them in a truly holistic way.

Carmel College Thornlands Principal, and 2026 SECA Chair, Stephen Adair said the partnership would lift the competition to another level.

“One of the great strengths of BCE is the size of our system, which allows us to offer high quality sporting opportunities like this rugby league competition,” Stephen said.

“But when peak bodies support and help run a sporting competition, the professionalism, organisation and overall experience for students improves significantly.”

Stephen said that shared values brought the schools together and shaped the competition.

“Students from different BCE schools know they will be part of a strong, healthy competition where expectations are clear, respect is paramount and everyone is held to a high standard, which aligns with what we want for our schools and what the NRL stands for in rugby league.”

NRL Manager Schools Strategy, Mark Grainger said the NRL was excited to partner with SECA and elevate the profile of rugby league among participating schools.

“Through the partnership, we hope to strengthen the quality of the student experience and the long‑term sustainability of the game’s integration within the SECA calendar,” Mark said.

“Through initiatives including the elevation of the Opens Male Final as a curtain raiser to a Queensland Cup game in May, we look forward to seeing more young people continue their involvement in rugby league throughout their secondary years.”

Program Leader for Sport at Clairvaux MacKillop College, Patrick Faulks said there was no better platform to build quality relationships with other BCE colleges.

“We work closely and consistently across our schools to provide high quality opportunities for our students,” Patrick said. 

“SECA Sport holds a special place for our students and families. It’s a competition our whole community gets behind.”

Year 12 student from Clairvaux MacKillop College, Camryn plays a number of sports, including rugby league and loves the team atmosphere that SECA provides. 

“SECA competitions are a chance for everyone to get around each other and build team spirit, while also getting competitive against other schools,” she said. 

 “I especially enjoy the special rivalries we have against other BCE schools, which makes those games a lot of fun.”

Participating BCE schools

• Carmel College Thornlands

• Chisholm Catholic College Cornubia  

• Clairvaux Mackillop College Upper Mt Gravatt

• Emmaus College Jimboomba

• Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon

• McAuley College Beaudesert 

• Mt Maria College Mitchelton  

• Mt Maria College Petrie 

• San Damiano Yarrabillba  

• Southern Cross College Scarborough  

• St Augustine’s College Augustine Heights 

• St Benedict’s College Mango Hill  

• St Bonaventure’s College Flagstone 

• St Eugene’s College Burpengary

• St Thomas More College Sunnybank