Last week, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s newly formed Rugby 7s team embarked on an exciting journey to Cairns to compete in their first Rugby 7s tournament. The group, comprised primarily of Rugby League players new to the worlds of Rugby Union and the unique, fast-paced 7s format, made an impressive debut, showcasing their athleticism and adaptability.

In a place where Rugby League reigns supreme, a Torres Strait team is rare among Cairns schools. However, rarity did not reflect a lack of ability as Sacred Heart’s performances improved over the tournament, and the team managed to clinch two out of three victories to secure their spot in the Plate Final. 

Notable mentions were Bob Bowie, Kazuhiro Sagigi, Serai See Kee and Ratu Volavola, all debutants who displayed an innate game sense and prowess on and off the ball. Coach David Graham commented, “What an extraordinary group of young people. Their ability to transfer their League skills to achieve success in the 7s format quickly is nothing short of remarkable”.

Falling just short of the silverware, Sacred Heart’s team will now set their sights on 2024 with ambitions to conquer the prestigious FNQ Schools 7s tournament.