Rugby league champion and community advocate
Class of 1981
In 1981, Clontarf Beach State High School proudly stood at the summit of Queensland schoolboy rugby league. That year, under the leadership of team captain Shane Bowering, Clontarf’s First XIII made history by being crowned State Champions—the only known Clontarf sporting side to achieve such a feat.
Their 1981 campaign culminated in a commanding 50–0 grand final victory over MacGregor State High School, a record-breaking win that is still remembered today. The triumph wasn’t a one-off; the foundations were laid in the 2 years prior, with Clontarf fielding one of the most competitive teams in Queensland in both 1979 and 1980. During this golden era, the school earned a reputation as a rugby league powerhouse.
Many players from those squads went on to represent Brisbane, Queensland, and even Australia at various levels. Beyond the sporting field, the team members have forged successful careers across diverse industries—from business to public service—making meaningful contributions to their communities.
Shane Bowering, who captained the legendary 1981 team, has gone on to become a respected business director and community advocate. He currently serves as Director of Red Tape Busters and Transnational CATS. His story is one of leadership, loyalty and lifelong mateship—qualities shaped and strengthened at Clontarf.
To this day, members of the 1980 and 1981 teams still reunite for lunch several times each year, keeping the bonds formed on the field alive more than 4 decades later.
'While these achievements were many years ago, we believe they deserve to be remembered. We are proud of what we achieved at school and equally proud of the paths we’ve all taken since.' – Shane Bowering, 1981 captain