(From left) Patrician Brothers College Blacktown students Finau Latu, Zedrick Tupulua and Cameron Robertson. Picture Credit: Toby Zerna
Patrician Brothers College Blacktown is renowned for producing top-tier rugby league players - and the new generation is ready to make its mark.
The schoolboys' juggernaut will kickstart its 2022 Peter Mulholland Cup campaign against Endeavour Sports High on Wednesday, and the game will be exclusively livestreamed by The Daily Telegraph.
The Western Sydney rugby league school is where Penrith Panthers stars Jarmoe Luai, Stephen Crichton and Sean O'Sullivan first linked up as students.
Now the nursery for NRL talent is back to show off its schoolboy stars.
Coach Noah Meares said the "NRL Schoolboys Cup is synonymous" with Patrician Brothers, after winning weight cups - including two out of the past three seasons - and the 2012 national championship.
"We have bow who come from all over who want to come to our school because they know about our history and culture and want to be a part of it," Meares said.
"They also know that coming here not only gives them an opportunity to play in the competition, but gives them a great opportunity to move into the NRL and pathways systems.
We have the most former students who are playing in the NRL, so the cup means a lot to our school and our boys, and that's why they always put their best foot forward.
"In fairness, it seems like it means more for the boys to play for their school than it does for their club or rep club some of the time"
After last year's competition was scrapped midway because of COVID-19, Patrician Brothers remain the reigning champions, after defeating Westfields by six points in the 2020 grand final.
And Meares said after two years of disrupted seasons, his side would come out fighting this year, determined to chase back-to-back championships.
"We had a very good team in 2020 and last year. Even though it was disrupted, we were again in a really good spot," Meares said.
"We had a very young team last year - a lot of them were 16 - so we've had players come back a lot more experienced and mature, which will only work in our favour."
Patrician Brother's quest for back-to-back titles won't be easy, and it begins on Wednesday against a strong Endeavour Sports High.
Meares said the side from the Shire was known to be "fit, fast and play a well structured game of footy".
"Endeavour is a very well drilled team, and their fitness tends to be the difference between them and other sides," Meares said.
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24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
From leading Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown as School Captains to leading the way in dementia research, Elie Matar (Class of 2004) and Michael Inskip (Class of 2010) continue to make an extraordinary impact. When Dr Elie Matar and Dr Michael Inskip presented at the International Dementia Conference 2026, it marked a proud moment for the Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown community. The International Dementia Conference brings together leading clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world to share the latest advances in dementia research, diagnosis, treatment and care. This year’s conference provided an opportunity for two Patties Old Boys, whose careers have taken different yet complementary paths, to contribute to conversations shaping the future of dementia care. Dr Matar, a Consultant Neurologist and Sleep Physician at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a Horizon Fellow at the University of Sydney, presented his internationally recognised research on Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and other neurodegenerative disorders. His work focuses on improving early diagnosis, advancing biomarkers and preparing patients for future disease-modifying therapies. Dr Inskip, an exercise physiologist, senior lecturer and clinical educator at James Cook University, shared his research exploring the role of exercise in supporting people living with dementia. His work includes leading the first exercise trial in Lewy body dementia and helping combat frailty and strengthen the role of exercise physiology within aged care. Although they graduated six years apart, the conference brought their work together through a shared goal of improving outcomes for people living with dementia. Congratulations to Elie and Michael on their outstanding contributions to research, education and patient care. We are proud to see two Patties Old Boys making a meaningful impact both nationally and internationally.23 Jul 2026
From Facebook
It is with great excitement that we acknowledge former Patties student, Tim Hodge, as the King’s Baton Bearer for the Australian team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. A graduate of our College in 2018, Tim’s many achievements include - Commonwealth Games silver medals in 2018 while he was studying for his HSC, representing Australia as at three Paralympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024) including two gold medals and a silver at the Paris Games, and a world record for the Men’s 200m Individual Medley (SM9), a record he has shattered and subsequently shaved down multiple times, including at the 2024 selection trials. Despite his physical challenges, he has established himself as a dominant global force in para-swimming and his humility and exceptional work ethic continue to be an inspiration to younger students at our school.