THE Karabar High School rugby league side will play Sydney high school side Chifley next Tuesday for the opportunity to make the final eight teams in the NSW University Shield competition.
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With Ulladulla High School forfeiting the grand final of the South Coast regional knock-out division, which also included Queanbeyan High School, Karabar automatically progressed the final 16 teams from across the whole state.
It was a huge achievement by the Karabar team considering there were 76 teams that started in the competition before the final 16 was decided, and they will now enjoy the challenge of travelling to Sydney to play for the first time.
Team captain Josh Stuckey said his men had put in a great effort to be in the top 16 schools from across the state.
"It's going to be great fun being able to travel to Sydney with all the boys now," he said.
"I'm not really sure how Chifley will play, but we've had some great games this year. We smashed Queanbeyan High School 58-0 so I think we'll play well against Chifley."
The team's success so far adds to the school being known as a genuine sports high school, with the likes of Canberra Raiders NRL player Terry Campese, Australian cricketer Brad Haddin, and motor sport legend Mark Webber having been educated there.
A lot of the Karabar players also play for the Queanbeyan Kangaroos and Blues clubs, and said the quality of rugby league in Queanbeyan had helped their school team play so well.
"A lot of sporting heroes have come out of Queanbeyan," said player Aaron Wighton.
"Rugby league is so big in Queanbeyan, and we get a lot of support playing it here."
Karabar must beat Chifley to progress to the University Shield quarter finals.
The game will be played in the suburb of St Mary's.