Padua Playing Fields came alive on Sunday as the Catholic Secondary Schoolgirls’ Sports Association Rugby 7s Gala Day celebrated its 7th year — and what a way to mark the milestone.
Eleven schools, 23 teams, and hundreds of players, coaches, parents, and supporters descended at Padua for a day that showcased everything that is great about girls' rugby in Queensland.
Across three age divisions — U14, U16, and U18 — schools from across the CaSSSA competition delivered fast, skilful, and fiercely competitive sevens rugby from the first whistle to the last.
Under 14s — Mount Alvernia College Claim the Cup
The U14 competition featured eight schools (ten teams) across the draw, with five rounds of pool play before a Cup Final showdown. Mt St Michael's College looked strong early, accounting for Loreto College (29–0) and the CaSSSA Barbarians before a tight 17–15 loss to All Hallow's in round three kept things interesting.
Meanwhile, Mount Alvernia College built momentum through the rounds — overcoming Stuartholme (22–15), Brigidine (31–22), and Mary Mackillop (52–0) — to earn a place in the final. All Hallow's School matched them, defeating Mount Alvernia 2 (45–0) and edging out both the Barbarians and Loreto (25–15) along the way.
The Cup Final delivered the drama. In a tight finish, Mount Alvernia College defeated All Hallow's School 12–10 to claim the U14 title.
Under 16s — Mt St Michael's Dominate
The U16 draw featured five teams, and it was Mt St Michael's College who set the tone early and never relented. Wins over Loreto (25–15), All Hallow's (20–10), San Sisto (25–0), and the CaSSSA Barbarians (30–0) saw them go through pool play undefeated.
Loreto College found their rhythm across the rounds to qualify for the final, setting up a rematch with the competition's standout side. In the Cup Final, Mt St Michael's continued their dominant display, defeating Loreto 31–20 to claim the U16 title.
Under 18s — All Hallow's School Take Out the Marquee Division
The U18 competition was the most expansive of the day, with eight teams across two pools and finals across four placing positions.
All Hallow's School topped Pool A with wins over Lourdes Hill (22–10), St Rita's (20–5), and Mt St Michael's (20–19 in a thriller). In Pool B, Stuartholme were the standout, defeating St John Fisher (22–17), Loreto (25–0), and Lourdes Hill 2 (17–5) to top their group.
The Cup Final lived up to its billing. All Hallow's School defeated Stuartholme School 17–7 to be crowned U18 champions. In the other finals, St Rita's College claimed 3rd place over Lourdes Hill 2 (15–10), St John Fisher College won the 5th place play-off against Lourdes Hill 2 (31–7), and Mt St Michael's rounded out the day with a 7th place win over Loreto College (42–0).
Thank You
A huge thank you to the CaSSSA organisers who have worked tirelessly to build this event into what it has become over the past five years. Thank you also to Padua College for generously hosting and providing outstanding facilities for the day, and to every school, coach, teacher, and parent who played a part in making it happen. Your support is what makes days like this possible.
Congratulations to all three Cup Final winners — Mount Alvernia College (U14), Mt St Michael's College (U16), and All Hallow's School (U18) — and to every player who stepped onto the field and represented their school with pride. Five years in, the CaSSSA Gala Day continues to go from strength to strength — and the future of girls' rugby in Queensland is in very good hands.
You can find full results here:
