THE biggest name in Australian rugby is set to inspire a thousand of the sport’s youngest enthusiasts when he makes a guest appearance at the 14th The Armidale School Rugby Carnival on April 14-15.
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Michael Cheika, the Wallabies chief coach since 2014, will be the special guest at the official presentation on Sunday, April 15 at 12noon, following the finals that morning.
Cheika will celebrate grassroots rugby with players, coaches and supporters attending the carnival – the largest rugby carnival for under 12s in the country, which this year has attracted 44 teams from 21 schools and 16 clubs from three states. He will not be the only one making a debut appearance at the carnival; be crossing the continent will be the Perth-based Western Spirit, one of three teams competing for the first time.
Others to make the big trip include players, coaches and supporters from Dalby and the Sunshine Coast in the north, to the NSW Southern Highlands. From 16 teams at the inaugural carnival in 2005, the carnival has grown to include city teams including well-known Sydney and Brisbane school and club rugby nurseries and junior clubs including Moree, Inverell and Tamworth from the New England North West region.
Over the two days, 108 games of rugby will be played on eight school ovals.
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 the many rugby greats who have attended as either special guests or in a private capacity as parents, are Nick Farr-Jones, Paddy Ryan, Phil Kearns, John Eales and Rod Kafer, and former Australian Rugby Union CEO Mr Bill Pulver who was the special guest in 2014.
Carnival convenor Mr Will Caldwell said the continued popularity of the carnival is testament to a universal love of the game, the camaraderie of the sport, and the sense of community it engenders.
“For many players this is their first time away on tour and that is exciting in itself, creating lifelong memories. It provides the rare opportunity for school and club teams to come together in a friendly atmosphere, and also reflects the enormous spirit of our wider school community who work incredibly hard to make it happen so smoothly,” he said.
Teams playing at the TAS Rugby Carnival 2018
Ambrose Treacy College, Brisbane
Avoca Beach, Avoca NSW
Balmain Wolves, Sydney NSW
Brothers RC, Albion Qld
Caboolture Snakes, Caboolture Qld
Cranbrook School, Sydney NSW
Dalby Wheatmen, Qld
Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim Qld
Gordon Junior RC, Sydney NSW (x2)
Highland Goats, Armidale NSW
Inverell Highlanders, NSW
Lismore City Juniors, NSW
Moree Junior Bulls, NSW
Pacific Lutheran College, Caloundra Qld
Padua College, Brisbane Qld (x2)
Redfield College, Dural NSW
Scone Grammar School, NSW
Shore School, Sydney NSW
Southern District Juniors, Sylvania Waters NSW
South Toowoomba RUFC, Qld
St Aloysius’ College, Sydney NSW
St Ignatius College Riverview, Sydney NSW (x2)
St Joseph’s College Nudgee, Brisbane Qld (x2)
St Laurence's College, Brisbane Qld
St Patrick's College, Strathfield NSW (x2)
St Pius X College, Sydney NSW
Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Forest Glen Qld
Sydney Grammar Prep School, Sydney NSW
Toowoomba Anglican College and Prep School (TACAPS), Qld
Tamworth Tri-Colours, NSW
The Armidale School, Armidale NSW
The King’s School Preparatory School, Sydney NSW
The Scots College Prep School, Sydney NSW (x2)
Toowoomba Bears, Qld
Tudor House Prep School, Bowral NSW
Waverley College, Sydney NSW (x2)
Western Spirit, Perth, WA
