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GSMC students with their Confraternity Carnival jerseys. Photo supplied
A brand new initiative has been introduced by the Gilroy Santa Maria College (GSMC) Rugby League program, with their 14–15-year-old rugby league players travelling to Townsville recently to take part in the inaugural GSMC “Emerging Confro” Development Day.
The event was designed by Gilroy Rugby League staff to give the younger boys in the program the opportunity to experience what a day at the Confraternity Carnival feels like, playing two games and touring professional sporting organisations.
The Confraternity Carnival is now the largest school rugby league carnival in Australia with well over 60 schools involved. Only Gilroy Santa Maria College and St Teresa's College currently represent the Hinchinbrook Shire.
GSMC has proudly competed in the annual Confraternity Carnival for the past 30 years, building on a legacy of rugby league at the college that stretches back to the late 1940s.
The day started with the GSMC boys hearing from Gilroy “Old Boy” Peter Duffy (1980 School Captain, Dux, 1st XIII rugby league captain and father of Brisbane Bronco Tom Duffy) sharing his pride in the college, urging the boys to take on leadership opportunities at the college and presenting the jerseys to the playing group.
The squad then had the opportunity to tour the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys training facilities and hear from the Townsville Blackhawks Strength & Conditioning coach about starting conditioning programs and how nutrition can help boost their performance. GSMC wishes to thank both organisations for hosting and allowing the boys an exclusive behind the scenes opportunity.
On the field, the squad had two terrific "Confro" length games against fellow Confraternity Carnival schools - Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale and Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan.
The future of GSMC Confraternity is looking bright and the college is excited for the 2026 Carnival in Brisbane and will continue to develop their emerging squad of 14-15 years towards the 2027 carnival on the Gold Coast.
Contributed with thanks by Annan Whittington, Gilroy Santa Maria College Sports Coordinator.
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