After starting the season well, Churchie won their final four matches to claim a share of the GPS premiership with Nudgee and TSS in 2022.

A number of players from that side return again in 2023 and coach Ryan Schultz appears confident that his side will be in the mix, despite struggling for form through the trial period.

Overview with Ryan Schultz: 

“We’re confident heading into round one on the back of a good preseason. We’ve been training hard for quite a while now and we want to build off the back of the good results the program had last year,” Schultz told Rugby News. 

“It’s been a bit of a different trial period. We haven’t really had the results that we would have liked, but we don’t play trials for results, we play them to learn and grow as individuals and as a team and we think we’ve been able to do that. 

“It’s been a good, tough preseason and I think the boys are all prepared and really excited for round one. 

“When we control our kicking game and our possession game, we tend to play good footy but when we don’t value our own ball and when we aren’t accurate in our execution, then we provide too many opportunities for our rivals. 

“From a school perspective, winning the shared GPS premiership last year is always going to be a big thing and it has been really good for the program. 

“It’s created some excitement and confidence within the group but the reality is, every year is a new season and while we do have some boys returning, this is a new playing group and they’ve got an opportunity to achieve their own success this season. 

“We play Brisbane State High this week. We know that they’ve got some really talented individuals and we can’t afford to give them too many opportunities. 

“As much respect we have for State High, we’re focussing solely on ourselves. We want to prepare well and then produce a performance that we can be proud of in round one.”

2023 Squad: 

“We’ve got a fairly balanced squad with quite a few boys returning from last year,” Schultz said. 

“Our second XV last year was a young side as well so there are a number of players coming out of that program and then a handful of our good young under 16s will also get an opportunity.

“It’s a well-rounded group and they have been really committed throughout the preseason and will be ready to go on Saturday.”

What style of rugby will we see from Churchie this season?

“We will pride ourselves on our work rate,” the coach said.

“We also want to be able to back our kicking game and play smart, high percentage in the right parts of the field.”

Which sides pose the biggest threat this season?

“It’s going to be a really tight competition,” Schultz said.

“BBC and Toowoomba Grammar are both going to be strong and have built on their performances from last year. I think Toowoomba could be a real threat. 

“Nudgee are always the best prepared and you’ve always got to respect TSS with their rugby program and their history of success. 

“It’s going to be a really exciting competition.”