IT’S now official Ipswich State High School will receive the city’s highest honour, the Keys to the City, for an unprecedented triple-title sporting achievement in rugby league.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the school – from the teachers, coaches, supporters, down to the players – have created a successful world-class rugby league program the whole city can be proud of.
“Council will give the Keys to the City to ISHS to acknowledge and celebrate the school’s historic achievement of winning the Allan Langer Trophy, Phil Hall Cup and the National Schoolboys Cup,” Mayor Harding said.
“ISHS has demonstrated its commitment to furthering the ideals of our city – achieving national recognition for their outstanding performance while representing Ipswich with pride, skill and honour.”
Cr Andrew Fechner said the granting and presentation of the Keys to the City is the highest honour our city can confer on an individual or organisation.
“ISHS has a long and proud history as a nursery for future rugby league stars,” Cr Fechner said.
“This year’s exceptional achievements on the football field built on this history and bolstered the school’s stellar reputation as a provider of sporting opportunities and pathways where dedicated coaches and inspirational role models work to develop elite athletes and valued citizens.”
Ipswich State High School Rugby League Academy Head Coach Joshua Bretherton said to be conferred with the Keys to the City is a recognition of the tenacious commitment and hard work the staff and students have shown over the last 10 years.
“To have their efforts commemorated by the council in this way is an honour that we will value for a lifetime, and something we could only have dreamed of,” he said.
“We all feel proud to be part of the Ipswich community, and the special place the Ipswich State High School Rugby League program now has in the sporting landscape.”
Previous recipients include Ash Barty, Ipswich Elder Aunty Faye Carr, the Ipswich Jets, QPS, Leah Neale, Shane Watson, Broncos Rugby League Football Club, Michael Voss, Deborah Lovely and Kasey Wehrmann.
