Rugby league’s famous Confraternity Carnival will return to Cairns for the third time after Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League awarded the hosting rights for the 2028 event.
St Augustine’s College will host the 48th “Confro”, starting with the opening ceremony and Mass on Sunday 25 June 2028 followed by play from Monday 26 June to Friday 30 June. Games will be played at seven fields across Cairns including Cairns Brothers, Endeavour Park, Tiger Park and Watsons Oval.
This will be the third Confraternity Carnival to be sponsored by Australian Catholic University in its multi-year partnership with QISSRL. The carnival brings together more than 1500 players and more than 500 coaches, officials and volunteers from Catholic and Independent schools from across Queensland.
QISSRL has thanked Cairns Regional Council for its support in bringing Confraternity Carnival back to Far North Queensland. St Augustine’s College played in its first carnival in 1984 before hosting the event in 1986 and 1993.
A total of 18 teams competed in the 1993 carnival in Cairns. Confraternity Carnival now fields boys’ teams from 56 schools and girls’ teams from 16 schools.
Future NRL players to have played in Cairns carnivals include Paul Bowman (St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon), Paul Hauff (Aquinas College, Ashmore), Darren Fritz (Emmaus College, Rockhampton) and Shane Perry (Padua College, Kedron).
Dozens of Queensland State of Origin players are Confro graduates, including the likes of Harry Grant (St Brendan’s College) and his Melbourne Storm teammates Cameron Munster (Emmaus College, Rockhampton) and Xavier Coates (Marymount College, Burleigh Waters). Daly Cherry-Evans (St Patrick’s College, Mackay), Valentine Holmes (Ignatius Park College, Townsville) and Lindsay Collins (Padua College) are among other carnival graduates now playing in the NRL.
QISSRL President Peter Elmore said he was delighted that St Augustine’s College would host the Carnival.
“This Carnival grows every year and we are grateful that St Augustine’s College will host the 2028 event and we thank Cairns Regional Council for their support,” Mr Elmore said. “This Carnival provides a significant economic injection for host cities with more than 1500 players and more than 500 coaches, officials and volunteers along with their many family members who attend for the week.
“We saw again in Brisbane and Rockhampton in the last two years how much this Carnival meant to the players, their coaches and to their families. It’s a celebration of Catholic and Independent education and memories are made at this Carnival that remain with the players for years.
“Cairns can be proud of its contribution to the Carnival over many decades. We are looking forward to returning in 2028.”
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said bringing the Confraternity Carnival back to Cairns for the first time in 35 years was a significant win for the city.
“More than 1,500 young players will come to Cairns, alongside hundreds of coaches, officials, volunteers and their families. That means people staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, exploring our region and supporting local businesses throughout the week,” Cr Eden said.
“There is also something pretty special about welcoming an event back after 35 years. Some of the students who competed here in 1993 will now be parents, coaches and supporters returning with another generation.
“Cairns is building its reputation as a city capable of hosting major sporting events, from grassroots competition through to elite sport. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, events like Confraternity are part of that bigger story.”
St Augustine’s College Principal Glen Seivers said the 2028 Carnival participants would be welcomed to Cairns.
“We look forward to welcoming Confraternity Carnival back to Cairns,” Mr Seivers said. “Like the rest of Far North Queensland, the St Augustine’s College community is very welcoming. We know how important this carnival is for the players, coaches and their families.
“The Confraternity Carnival is a celebration of sportsmanship, our community and the values that define our Catholic education. We are grateful to our staff and volunteers who will go above and beyond to ensure that this Carnival creates memories that will remain.”
The 47th Confraternity Carnival will be played on the Gold Coast in June 2027, hosted by Aquinas College, Ashmore.
