SCHOOLS PREPARE FOR SEMI-FINALS

Fairholme and Centenary kicking Aussie Rules goals

AUSSIE RULES: Toowoomba’s senior schools are making their mark in the AFLQ Schools Cup.

Centenary Heights State High School and Fairholme College both won their respective qualifying finals, putting them among the best eight schools in their divisions as they continue on their path towards the state finals.

Fairholme’s charge to the semi-finals has been led by an eclectic mix of talented young athletes, according to the school’s head of sport and Aussie Rules coach Tony Tregaskis.

“Only a few of the girls play club footy (Aussie Rules) but we’ve done a lot of work internally,” Tregaskis said.

“The rest of them play soccer, cricket, rugby sevens, netball and we even have a few sprinters.

“We have quite a few girls who played in the same competition so this is their only real exposure to the game – they’re all very talented and determined though which works in our favour.”

The teams’ success has also been built on a very solid defensive foundation.

“We have been really tough in defence this year,” Tregaskis said.

“The girls work really hard in that area and when they win the ball they move forward quickly.

“I think having that broad range of skills and general athleticism also helps us.” CENTENARY REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

A strong pair of performances against North Lakes and Kenmore has helped Centenary Heights State High School to book a semi-final berth.

AFL Darling Downs regional manager Jeff Neumann was on hand for their wins on Tuesday.

“They have a lot of club players and players involved in AFL programs, which has helped them remain undefeated and move through to the topeight,” he said.

“It’s great for Centenary Heights. They played a really positive brand of football and worked really hard.

“They played in the final against Kenmore, who are a strong, powerful, Brisbane AFL school, and it’s great for them to advance. There are over 100 schools in the senior male division.

“They will come up against Nudgee, and it will tough semi to advance to the top four, but they will train hard.”

Their semi-final encounter will take place on August 21 at Yeronga.

Photo: Fairholme College FINALS TIME: Fairholme’s Evie Mason (left) punts the ball downfield with teammate Zoe Crooke in support. Fairholme will face Mountain Creek State High School in the semi-final of the AFLQ Schools Cup next week.

Photo: Kevin Farmer Sibit Mach takes a mark for Centenary Heights State High School in the Darling Downs qualifiers.