Brisbane high school athletics finals ready for mid-July showcase at QSAC

Brisbane’s high school athletics circuit reaches its peak this week when the Queensland state track and field championships get underway at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) in Nathan. More than 1,200 student-athletes from across the city are expected to compete across the three-day meet, which runs from July 15-17.

The event carries added weight this year because it serves as the primary qualifying pathway for the Australian All-Schools Championships in December. For many Brisbane schools, particularly those in the GPS and QGSSSA systems, a strong showing at QSAC can define an entire season. A school’s final standing in the aggregate points table determines bragging rights for the next 12 months.

Local favourites and key storylines

Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School), based in East Brisbane, comes into the meet after sweeping the junior boys premiership last year. The school’s middle-distance squad, led by Year 11 runner Liam O’Connor, has posted times inside the national junior top 10 this winter, according to Athletics Queensland rankings published last month. On the girls side, Brisbane Girls Grammar School in Spring Hill returns its 4×100 metre relay team that broke the state record at the 2025 championships.

The competition will be held on QSAC’s synthetic track, a facility that underwent a $2.4 million resurfacing in late 2024. Coaches have told The Daily Brisbane the surface is noticeably faster than previous years, which could produce several meet records. The throwing events, shot put, discus and javelin, will take place on the inner grass infield, where wind conditions often play a factor.

How the format works and what’s at stake

The championship uses a tiered qualification system. Heats run on day one and day two, with finals on the final afternoon. Athletes must finish in the top eight of their event to advance. Points are awarded to schools based on final placings, with 10 points for first, eight for second, and so on down to one point for eighth. The school with the highest combined points across all age groups, Under-14 through Open, wins the overall trophy.

For Brisbane athletes, the meet also offers a chance to push for selection in Queensland’s state team for the All-Schools Championships in Melbourne in December. Athletics Queensland has said it will use the results from this week’s finals as its primary selection criteria for the squad of 120 athletes.

The championships are open to the public. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for concessions, available at the gate. Events begin at 9 a.m. each day. The 100-metre finals, traditionally the most-watched session, are scheduled for 2 p.m. on the final day.