Earlier this April, the Parade College Manchester City Football School (MCFS) travelled to Brisbane to take part in the Edmund Rice School Football Competition, joined by schools from across Australia in a celebration of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

St Joseph’s College, Nudgee generously hosted our squad, providing both accommodation and meals, as well as access to their top-class facilities where all matches were played.

Over the course of three days, our team competed in a group stage (three matches), followed by two knockout rounds and a final. We progressed through the group stage unbeaten, without conceding a single goal—a testament to the discipline and determination of the players.

In the final, we faced a strong side from St Virgil’s, Tasmania. The match proved to be a tightly contested battle, with both sides showing resilience and grit. After a tense draw in regular time, we broke the deadlock with a brilliant goal in extra time, securing a thrilling 2-1 victory and the tournament title.

Our squad of 15 players was supported by three staff members: Mick Bennett (Head Coach, MCFS), Elliot Seddon (Assistant Coach, MCFS), and Andrew Ward (Strength and Conditioning Coach, Parade College and MCFS).

Off the field, the team focused on match preparation, recovery, nutrition, and tactical planning—vital components of modern football that helped maintain performance levels across the competition.

The tour was a fantastic experience for the players—not only in terms of football development but also in building camaraderie and life skills. Being away from home encouraged independence, teamwork, and mutual support in a high-performance environment.