Stronger together – BCE’s Rugby 7s sparks connection and camaraderie across schools

Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) Rugby 7s, a favourite on the school sporting calendar, is back!

And this year we’re expecting more than 1,000 students to hit the fields ready to take part in the system‑wide event.

Connecting schools across South East Queensland

St Columba’s Primary School, Wilston Principal Nick Fogarty said the tournament has become a BCE tradition, bringing students from across South East Queensland together through sport since 2018.

“More than a competition, Rugby 7s reflects the strength of an interconnected schooling system,” he said.

“Held across Brisbane North and South, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and surrounding regions, the Rugby 7s program promotes fitness, teamwork, competition, and camaraderie, offering our students a chance to enjoy healthy competition across our schools.”

Nick adds that BCE schools are taking the competition very seriously in 2026.

“Christ the King School has appointed former Wallaby and Reds coach Nick Stiles to support The University of Queensland Junior Bullsharks staff who run the training program at the Graceville school,” he said.

“While St Peter Chanel Primary School, The Gap have appointed former GPS A-Grade Player Liam Ferguson, as their head coach of their squads, former Brothers A-Grade player and current Brothers Colts 1 Coach Adam Bennie is running Our Lady of Help of Christians School, Hendra’s teams.

“Our Lady of the Angels’ Primary School, Wavell Heights Principal and former NSW School Boys rugby league representative player Matthew Beacroft is coaching his teams.

“Principals Troy Parson Queen of Apostles Primary School, Stafford and Duncan Maitland St William’s Primary School, Grovely have been training since Term 1 and are determined to make it to the finals.

“It’s going to be a fierce competition.”

Part of something bigger

Notre Dame College, Bells Creek Principal Dan McShea said while students get to explore their favourite sport, the competition also helps students see themselves not just as members of a single school, but as part of the wider BCE community.

“As a new College we can’t wait for our first cohort of Year 5 students to take to the field next year,” he said.

“Rugby 7s will be integral to building a strong sporting culture at our College, giving our students the opportunity to develop teamwork, resilience and pride in representing their school.

.“Events like this bring young people together in a powerful way. They create a shared experience where students support each other, celebrate each other’s success, and feel connected as a team and wider community.”

BCE above and beyond

Nick said that Rugby 7s provided students with opportunities to explore their interests and talents in a sport that could take them as far as the Olympic stage.

“Having access to an Olympic‑format game during school hours with high‑quality coaching from Queensland Rugby Union allows students to discover what’s possible,” he said.

“As we move towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it’s exciting to think that experiences like this could be the starting point for some of our students’ professional sporting careers.”

The BCE Rugby 7s Tournaments will kick off on:

1. Sunshine Coast (27 May),

2. Brisbane West (3 June),

3. Gold Coast (10 June),

4. Brisbane North (17 June),

5. Brisbane South (24 June).

BCE would like to thank Queensland Rugby Unionfor their support of this event again this year.

With more than 146 Catholic schools across South East Queensland, Brisbane Catholic Education offers families a wide choice of primary and secondary schools for students from Prep to Year 12. Find a school near you today! Click here.

Image caption: Top row (from left to right): Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Gatton, St Mary's Primary School, Laidley, Immaculate Heart Catholic Primary School, Leichhardt, St Francis Xavier Primary School, Goodna, St Joseph's School, North Ipswich, St Brigid's Primary School, Rosewood, Good Shephard Catholic Primary School, Springfield Lakes.

Bottom row (from left to right): St Martin's Primary School, Carina, St Ignatius School, Toowong, St Joseph's Primary School, Corinda, St Mary's Primary School, Ipswich ©Brisbane Catholic Education (2026).