CQ Schools Championships 2026
July 22, 2026
The Cathedral School Tops Medal Tally at Central Queensland Schools’ Championship Regatta
By Sarah Birchmore and Katrina Wilshire.
The Cathedral School rowing squad delivered an outstanding team performance at the Central Queensland Schools’ Championships on 27–28 June, to finish atop the overall medal tally, collecting more medals and more gold medals than any other school.
Competing against strong schools from across Central Queensland and Brisbane, the Cathedral squad of 46 amassed 91 crew entries across the two-day regatta, with many athletes racing in multiple events in the pursuit of team success. The squad contested 75 races and collected 27 medals (12 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze), while recording an outstanding 44 top-five finishes. An impressive 76% of the squad progressed through to finals for at least one event.
The results highlighted the strength and depth of the Cathedral rowing program across every year level, with athletes ranging from first-time championship competitors through to experienced senior rowers. Ten athletes competed at their first championship regatta, gaining valuable experience on one of the season’s biggest stages. Head Technical Coach, Jamie Forbes praised the commitment shown by the entire squad.
The results were great, but honestly what stood out more was seeing everyone come together as a team. Many of our senior rowers stepped up to guide the juniors, and that created a lovely environment across the whole squad. What made it even more special was hearing other teams and volunteers at the regatta notice our hard work and the culture we’ve built.”
Several team performances were among the highlights of the weekend, including the Year 10 Girls claiming first, second and third in the 1500m Singles, with Cathedral athletes filling five of the eight places in the final. The Year 9 Boys secured first and third in the 1000m Quad Sculls, and our youngest Year 7 rowers have all raced in a single scull on a professional buoyed course for the first time.
With valuable race experience now gained, the squad will continue preparations for the North Queensland Schools’ Championships in Townsville on 15–16 August, where they will look to build on the momentum from another successful team performance.
The Cathedral School congratulates every athlete, coach, coxswain, volunteer and parent whose commitment continues to strengthen the rowing program.
While the medals reflected the squad’s success, perhaps the greatest achievement was the support shown by athletes across every year level—celebrating one another’s performances and demonstrating the team culture that underpins Cathedral rowing.
