More Than A Game: Thousands of Kids Take Over the Gold Coast for South QLD Secondary All Schools

The 2026 Secondary All Schools Championships was a huge success last week, with 126 teams from 30 schools across the South Queensland region coming together for two full days of touch football on 22–23 July.

But beyond the results, the event is fast becoming known for something bigger: giving adolescent students a reason to show up, stay active, and find a sense of belonging at their school.

South Queensland Sharks Regional Manager, Conan Kang, said the scale of this year's event reflected the growing strength of touch football at grassroots level.

"The South Queensland Secondary All Schools Championships is the largest regional event on our calendar, with an impressive 126 teams participating this year," Kang said.

"The tournament provides a valuable opportunity for students to experience the game of touch football, helping to foster greater involvement within our affiliate network."

Huge events like the South Queensland Secondary All Schools Championships show the role that participation sports like touch football can have in junior development, not only as athletes, but as young people finding their place at school.

A teacher from Tambourine Mountain State High School, who coached a team of students at the event, said days like these play an important role in building young people's commitment to sport and connection to school life.

"My favourite part is that the kids get to throw the footy around, and for some of the students who don't enjoy being at school all the time, it gives them something to look forward to," the teacher said.

"They turn up to school a bit more and it gives them a passion for something, instead of just worrying about what's going on in the classroom."

For students navigating the pressures of adolescence, that shift can make all the difference. Getting kids moving, working as a team, and finding a reason to be excited about representing their school is exactly the kind of impact the South Queensland Secondary All Schools Championships is designed to deliver.

"It also serves as an important platform for schools to refine their skills and build momentum as they prepare for the upcoming Titans All Schools competition," Kang said.

With South Queensland Secondary All Schools now wrapped, attention turns to the Titans All Schools competition in October, giving players and schools across the state a chance to build on the momentum, and the confidence, from a memorable two days on the Gold Coast.

Thank you to venue hosts Gold Coast Touch Association and Queensland Touch Football for their support of the event, and to all the referees and teachers who helped make the event a success.

Well done to everyone who participated on the day, and congratulations to our finalists:

U13 Boys 

Champions: Miami SHS (4)

Runners Up: Lindisfarne Anglican (2)

U13 Girls

Champions: PBC (5)

Runners Up: Kings College Reedy Creek (2)

U15 Boys

Champions: Southport SHS (12)

Runners Up: Rivermount College (4)

U15 Girls

Champions: Kings College Reedy Creek (2)

Runners Up: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS (1)

U18 Boys

Champions: Miami SHS (5)

Runners Up: Yarrabilba SSC (1)

U18 Girls

Champions: Southport SHS (6)

Runners Up: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS (3)

U18 Mixed 

Champions: Aquinas College (6)

Runners Up: Faith Lutheran College Redlands (3)