Rugby League

 Ignatius Park's Rugby League Development Programme began in 2001 and has already provided a proven pathway to success in the national arena for a number of our students. Emphasis is on developing well-educated and responsible young men who enjoy their sport. All training sessions occur outside school hours, allowing students to focus on their academic studies, which are always a priority. Boys from all over Queensland and beyond participate in our development programmes, while other students choose to simply play Rugby League for fun and fitness.

 We have multiple teams in all age-groups, from Year 7 through to the Open First XIII. Our Year 7, 8, 9 and 2^nd XIII teams compete in the Townsville Secondary Schools Block Sport Competition throughout Term 1. Students selected in our First XIII and Year 10 Rugby League Squads compete in the respective National and Statewide competitions and undertake Strength and Conditioning Sessions as well as Skill work to ensure they are best prepared for the high level of competition.

 Boys who are selected for the Open First XIII Development Programme undertake 5 sessions per week (3 early morning sessions and two after school) that focus on the physical development (weight sessions and conditioning) as well as their skills and tactical development. These sessions are run throughout the year except for exam periods where we have time off for the students to focus on their academic workload. The Year 10 Rugby League Program is structured in much the same way as the First XIII, with two early morning skill sessions before school and two Strength Sessions per week. All sessions are conducted by specialized coaches to ensure that the boys receive the very best in Rugby League development.

 Ignatius Park College’s Rugby League Program has experienced a high level of success in the respective competitions we compete in over the past fifteen years including GIO Cup State Champions in 2004 and Runners-up in 2012; GIO Cup National Quarter Finalist in 2016, 2017 and 2018, Confraternity Shield State Champions in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013,  2016 and 2019 and Aaron Payne Cup Champions in 2011, 2012 and 2017.  The Year 10 team have been hugely successful in the recently formed North Queensland Cowboys Challenge, being named champions in 2014, 2016 and 2019. As part of the Rugby League Program, boys also undertake development tours to other major centres such as Sydney to further enhance their Rugby League experience. This is imperative to players' development as they not only play with quality players but play against quality competition and are exposed to quality coaching, thus fast-tracking their development.

Ignatius Park is recognised as an important development base for players wishing to continue their sporting careers beyond school. Over the last five years alone we have had a number of our players making Australian and Queensland sides at the open and under 15 level, as well as a going straight into NRL and QLD Cup Systems. The Ignatius Park College Rugby League Program is nationally acclaimed for producing not only top-level Rugby League players, but also quality young men.

The following Ignatius Park College graduates have gone on to play in the NRL in recent times.

NRL Players

Danny Moore, Scott Prince, Aidan Guerra, Anthony Mitchell, Michael Morgan, Kyle Feldt, Moses Pangai, Valentine Holmes, Chris Grevsmuhl, Coen Hess, Patrick Kaufusi, Corey Jensen, Kalyn Ponga, Gehamat Shibasaki, Ben Laity, Michael Hogue, Andrew Bulmer, Adam Cook

 Australian Kangaroos Representatives

Michael Morgan, Aidan Guerra, Valentine Holmes, Scott Prince, Danny Moore

Queensland State of Origin Representatives

Michael Morgan, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes, Aidan Guerra, Kalyn Ponga, Scott Prince, Danny Moore

NRL Premiership Winners

Michael Morgan, Kyle Feldt, Aidan Guerra, Valentine Holmes, Scott Prince

NRL Club Captains

Michael Morgan and Scott Prince

Player Profiles