The Australian Secondary Schools Championships is set to return in 2023 with the week-long event kicking off in Redcliffe, Queensland from July 1-7.
And this year, the championship will mark a new era with the introduction of the U/18's girls' competition to run alongside the boys, with every game being played out at Kayo Stadium.
While previously the ASSRL Nationals Under-15/16 tournaments have played alongside the U/18s, the age divisions have been split following the inclusion of the female competition.
The competition is set to reach new ground with the introduction of the girls' championship, hosting teams from NSW Combined High Schools, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges, NSW Combined Independent Schools, Queensland Secondary Schools, ACT, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Meanwhile, the boys’ competition will include teams from NSW Combined High Schools, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges, NSW Combined Independent Schools, Queensland Secondary Schools, ACT and Combined Affiliated States.
ASSRL President Anthony Lanskey said he is excited to see the competition expand in 2023 with both young men and women set to take the field at Redcliffe.
"Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League are excited to host the inaugural 18 Years Girls and Boys National Championships at Kayo Stadium at Redcliffe," Lanskey said.
"It is an opportunity for girls from across the nation to vie for places in the Australian Schoolgirls team and also sees the tradition of the Australian Schoolboys enter its 6th decade.
"We will see school rugby league at the highest level showcased throughout the week."
Following the completion of the tournament, the best U/18's players will be named as part of the Australian Schoolboys and Schoolgirls team ahead of their Test matches later this year.
The Under-15/16 championships, which will also include girls for the first time in 2023, will be played in Port Macquarie in September.
2023 ASSRL Championships Schedule
Saturday, July 1
- 9.00am - Opening ceremony
- 10.15am - U/18 male - Pool A - 1 v 2 - QRSS v NSWCCC
- 11.35am - U/18 male - Pool B - 1 v 2 - NSWCHS v NSWCIS
- 12.55pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 1 v 2 - NT v NSWCIS
- 1.20pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 3 v 4 - QRSS v WA
- 1.45pm - U/18 female - Pool B - 5 v 6 - ACT v NSWCHS
- 2.10pm - U/18 female - Pool B - 7 v 8 - NSWCCC v VIC
- 2.35pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 1 v 3 - NT v QRSS
- 3.00pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 2 v 4 - NSWCIS v WA
- 3.25pm - U/18 female - Pool B - 5 v 7 - ACT v NSWCCC
- 3.50pm - U/18 female - Pool B - 6 v 8 - NSWCHS v VIC
- 4.15pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 1 v 4 - NT v WA
- 4.40pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 2 v 3 - NSWCIS v QRSS
- 5.10pm - U/18 female - Pool B - 5 v 8 - ACT v VIC
- 5.30pm - U/18 Female - Pool B - 6 v 7 - NSWCHS v NSWCCC
Monday, July 3
- 9.00 am - U/18 female - Pool B - 5 v 8 - ACT v VIC
- 9.25am - U/18 male - Pool B - 6 v 7 - NSWCHS v NSWCCC
- 9.50am - U/18 female - Pool A - 1 v 4 - NT v WA
- 10.15am - U/18 female - Pool A - 2 v 3 - NSWCIS v QRSS
- 10.40am - U/18 female - Pool B - 5 v 7 - ACT v NSWCCC
- 11.05am - U/18 female - Pool B - 6 v 8 - NSWCHS v VIC
- 11.30am - U/18 female - Pool A - 1 v 3 - NT v QRSS
- 11.55am - U/18 female - Pool A - 2 v 4 - NSWCIS v WA
- 12.20pm - U/18 female - Pool B - 5 v 7 - ACT v NSWCHS
- 12.45pm - U/18 female - Pool B - 7 v 8 - NSWCCC v VIC
- 1.10pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 1 v 2 - NT v NSWCIS
- 1.35pm - U/18 female - Pool A - 3 v 4 - QRSS v WA
- 2.10pm - U/18 male - Pool A - 2 v 3 - NSWCCC v CAS
- 3.30pm - U/18 male - Pool B - 2 v 3 - NSWCIS v ACT
Wednesday, July 5
- 9.00am - U/18 female - Pool A 3rd v Pool B 3rd
- 10.00am - U/18 female - Pool A 4th v Pool B 4th
- 11.00am - U/18 male - Pool A - 1 v 3 - QRSS v CAS
- 12.20pm - U/18 male - Pool B - 1 v 3 - NSWCHS v ACT
- 1.40pm - U/18 female - Semi Final - Pool A 1st v Pool B 2nd
- 2.40pm - U/18 female - Semi Final - Pool B 1st v Pool A 2nd
Friday, July 7
- 9.00am - U/18 male - Pool A 2nd v Pool B 2nd
- 10.20am - U/18 male - Pool A 3rd v Pool B 3rd
- 11.40am - U/18 female - Championship Final
- 1.00pm - U/18 male - Championship Final
- 3.00pm - Closing Ceremony and Naming of the 2023 Australian Schoolboys & Schoolgirls
