Sport is an important part of life at St Mary’s. We offer students a wide range of opportunities to participate, compete, develop skills and grow in confidence. Whether a student is new to sport, plays socially or competes at an elite level, our program encourages teamwork, fitness, commitment and enjoyment.

Students are involved in weekly sport lessons, College carnivals, interschool competitions and representative pathways. Many also take part in prestigious sporting tours that provide exceptional experiences and high-level competition.

St Mary’s is proud to offer participation in some of the most respected school-level sporting competitions in Queensland. Students undergo a rigorous selection and training process, and representing the College on tour is considered an honour.

Our Sporting Tours include:

  • Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN)
  • All Schools Touch Football (North Queensland and Queensland)
  • Confraternity Rugby League
  • Run Squad Tour

St Mary’s is the only secondary college in Cairns currently competing in the QISSN competition, an invitation-only, state-wide netball tournament. Participation provides students with exposure to elite competition and pathways to representative netball. Our program has proudly competed since 2000.

Established in 2013, our touch football program offers high-level coaching and strong pathways.
We compete in:

  • North Queensland All Schools Competition (Townsville)
  • Gold Coast Titans Queensland All Schools, the world’s largest touch football competition with over 530 teams

These competitions challenge students, extend their abilities and provide opportunities for progression to state and national pathways.

The Confraternity Shield is a prestigious, invitation-only competition for Catholic schools across Queensland. Many past participants have progressed to the NRL, and involvement gives our students access to high-quality rugby league and elite development pathways.

Our Run Squad supports students of all ages and abilities to set goals, build fitness and develop discipline. These skills contribute to both physical health and long-term wellbeing. The squad also competes in interschool events throughout Cairns including the Cairns Marathon.

The College Run Squad competes every second year in a major tour marathon.  These include the Sydney City2Surf  which is Australia’s premier road race, attracting Olympians and Commonwealth champions. Selected members of our Run Squad represent St Mary’s, gaining valuable experience in high-level racing and personal wellbeing.

St Mary’s hosts three major whole-school events each year, and all students are expected to attend:

  • Swimming Carnival (Term 1)
  • Cross Country (Term 1 or 2)
  • Athletics Carnival (Term 2) 

Our carnivals celebrate participation and teamwork. Students earn points for their House through both competitive and participation events, ensuring everyone has the chance to contribute.

Weekly Sport Lessons

In addition to curriculum HPE, all students participate in a weekly sport lesson where they engage in a variety of sports and activities while building healthy habits for life. 

Inter-School Sport

St Mary’s competes in both Junior Secondary Sport (JSS) and the Cairns Interschool Secondary Sporting Association (CISSA).
These competitions run during weekly sport and include:

  • AFL
  • Boys Soccer / Girls Soccer
  • Boys Basketball / Girls Basketball
  • Netball
  • Boys Touch Football / Girls Touch Football
  • Boys Volleyball / Girls Volleyball

District & Peninsula Sporting Pathways

As an affiliate of Trinity Coast South (TCS) and Peninsula School Sport, St Mary’s provides pathways for students to progress to district, regional and state representative teams.

For enquiries about sport at St Mary’s, please email smw.sport@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Touch Football Program

St Mary’s Catholic College Touch Football Program is proudly endorsed by Touch Football Australia (TFA).

The program provides opportunities for students to develop their knowledge and skills through both player and referee pathways.

Students compete in:

  • Interschool competitions
  • Regional and state events
  • High-performance programs

To enquire about the Touch Football Program, please email smw.sport@cns.catholic.edu.au.