Two’s company but three’s a crowd has plenty of relevance for two teams at the opposite ends of the Aaron Payne Cup spectrum. Catch Mackay SHS v Holy Spirit College LIVE on Wednesday from 5.45pm.
Holy Spirit College are not used to rubbing shoulders with the big boys of North Queensland and Mackay SHS are hoping to take advantage of their inexperience.
You can catch their clash LIVE and exclusive on KommunityTV from 5.45pm on Wednesday night at Mackay Junior Rugby League Grounds – Field 1. See the full round 1 schedule below.
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Mackay SHS and St Patrick’s College have long been the two Mackay powerhouse rugby league nurseries, and Mackay High first XIII coach Zach Schill wants to keep it that way.
“I’m expecting the boys to go out there and put on a bit of a performance,” Shill said.
Mackay SHS made it through to the final four in 2022.
“We have respect for HSC (Holy Spirit College) but we still want Mackay High and St Pat’s to be the two big players in Mackay.
“Hopefully we can go out there and make sure it stays that way. We want to stay as one of the dominant schools in this town.”
This is Schill’s first year coaching Mackay SHS’s Aaron Payne Cup side after three years at the school and two as rugby league coordinator.
Mackay High coach Zach Schill.
He has the big shoes of Jack Brock to fill after the former Mackay Cutter and Mackay High coach moved south to the Sunshine Coast to pursue his rugby league career.
Over at Holy Spirit College, Thomas Westcott, who is sports program leader and assistant coach of the first XIII, is focused on building towards long-term success in the Aaron Payne Cup.
“When given the opportunity to participate, you want to try and take it on with both hands, but it’s all about longevity,” Westcott said.
“Our numbers probably aren’t as big as some of the other schools in the Aaron Payne Cup, but you’ve got to start somewhere.
“Rubbing shoulders with some of the big schools will be an awesome opportunity for our boys and they’ll be up for the challenge ahead.”