Top-tier rugby league is set to be delivered to hundreds of Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) students as the 2026 SECA competition kicks off in partnership with the NRL.
SECA Sport (South East Colleges Association of Sport) is an inter-school sporting competition bringing together 15 BCE colleges and secondary schools across South East Queensland.
Carmel College Thornlands Principal and 2026 SECA Chair Stephen Adair said the partnership would lift the competition to a new level.
“When peak bodies support and help run a sporting competition, the professionalism, organisation and overall experience for students improves significantly,” Mr Adair said.
“Students from different BCE schools know they will be part of a strong, healthy competition where expectations are clear, respect is paramount and everyone is held to a high standard.
“This aligns with what we want for our schools and what the NRL stands for in rugby league.”
He said the size of the BCE system allowed them to offer sporting opportunities like the rugby league competition.
NRL Manager Schools Strategy Mark Grainger said the NRL hoped to strengthen the quality of the student experience and the long‑term sustainability of the game’s integration in the SECA calendar.
“Through initiatives including the elevation of the Opens Male Final as a curtain raiser to a Queensland Cup game in May, we look forward to seeing more young people continue their involvement in rugby league throughout their secondary years,” Mr Grainger said.
Participating BCE schools
- Carmel College Thornlands
- Chisholm Catholic College Cornubia
- Clairvaux Mackillop College Upper Mt Gravatt
- Emmaus College Jimboomba
- Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon
- McAuley College Beaudesert
- Mt Maria College Mitchelton
- Mt Maria College Petrie
- San Damiano Yarrabilba
- Southern Cross College Scarborough
- St Augustine’s College Augustine Heights
- St Benedict’s College Mango Hill
- St Bonaventure’s College Flagstone
- St Eugene’s College Burpengary
- St Thomas More College Sunnybank
