Ipswich State High School girls rugby league team are to be handed the keys to the city.
It follows their triumphant 28-6 win over Hills Sport High School in the NRL National Schoolgirls championship last month.
The team also won the Titans Schoolgirl Cup, NRL Schoolgirls QLD Trophy as well as the National Schoolgirls Cup this season.
The decision to grant the girl’s the keys to the city came about during a special Ipswich City Council meeting yesterday.
It’s understood that it’s not the first time the honour has been bestowed on the school with the boys team being awarded the keys to the city in 2022.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding praised the school’s entire community – from teachers, coaches, supporters, down to the players – for building a world-class rugby league program that has made the city proud.
“ISHS has shown dedication to our city’s values – not only earning national recognition for their outstanding performance but also representing Ipswich with pride, skill and honour. I congratulate Ipswich State High School on their outstanding achievement continuing Ipswich’s tradition of sporting excellence on the national stage.”
Dating back to medieval times, the granting and presentation of the Keys to the City is a symbolic presentation which represents the highest honour a city can confer on an individual or an organisation.
“The future is bright for rugby league in our city and as the girls make their mark standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts, Ipswich will continue to be a rugby league powerhouse.”
The Ipswich State High School Head Coach Open Girls Rugby League Team Alex Nicholson said there were many challenges that the girls needed to overcome to achieve what they did this year.
“From injuries to key players, high pressure moments in games, and adjusting to a different regime, this group showed everyone that they were up for any challenge that came their way,” Mr Nicholson said.
“Although the national trophy will be a part of this group’s legacy, who they were on their journey will be my fondest memory of them. I’m so proud of this group and what they’ve accomplished. This wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing and generous support of our sponsors, the teaching staff at ISHS and the wider community.
The ISHS Rugby League – Program of Excellence Head Coach Josh Bretherton has honed the school’s league program over many years.
“To be recognised with the Keys to the City is such a fantastic culmination to the year for our Ipswich State High School Open girls,” Mr Bretherton said.
“We can’t thank Ipswich City Council, the Mayor and our Councillors enough for all of their ongoing support. We definitely felt the city was with us every step of the way, thank you.”
A special presentation ceremony will be held at the Ipswich Civic Centre on Tuesday October 8.
Previous recipients include the 2022 Ipswich State High School rugby league national schoolboys champions, Ash Barty, Ipswich Elder Aunty Faye Carr, the Ipswich Jets, Queensland Police Service, Leah Neale, Shane Watson, Broncos Rugby League Football Club, Michael Voss, Deborah Lovely and Kasey Wehrmann. Mayor Harding will officially present the Keys to the City to The Ipswich State High School in a special ceremony on 8 October 2024.
