The Life of Francis Carroll 

Week 8 of the term saw a number of farewells to and celebrations of the life of Francis Carroll, more fondly known as Father Frank to many in the local area.  Kildare student leaders and teachers attended the Solemn Pontifical Mass held at St Michael’s Cathedral on Wednesday 20th March and other members of our community attended the Vigil Gathering at St Brendan’s Ganmain on Tuesday 19th March and the Burial at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Canberra on Thursday 21st March. 

Some of you may be aware of the connection that Fr Frank has to the Carroll Cup. In the 1960s some members of the local AFL community, including Tim Robb and John Braid from Wagga Tigers, were hoping to make inroads into the dominance of the sport of Rugby League in the Wagga area. It was determined that primary schools would provide the best chance to grow the passion for Aussie Rules and after a few years a local school boy competition was also established in the secondary schools. Father Frank was asked if he would lend the Carroll name to this competition. His love of the game and the involvement of his family in the sport as well as his support of the Sydney Swans (formerly South Melbourne) meant that he readily agreed. The following is the foreword written by the then Archbishop Carroll for the book  ‘And the Big Boys Fly’.

Dear Readers, Back in 1969 I was delighted to be invited to give my name to the Carroll Cup trophy. A personal honour for me, the naming of the trophy was a tribute to the Carrolls of Ganmain who, especially then, were synonymous with Australian Football in the Riverina and beyond. Forty years later I am even more delighted to know how successful the Carroll Cup competition has been and the major contribution it continues to make to schoolboy football in the region. Not only has it helped promote Australian Football and perhaps furthered the careers of some of its outstanding participants, but its healthy competition has encouraged active participation in sport which is so valuable for the general welfare of young people. It has certainly strengthened school spirit and loyalty within the individual high school communities of Wagga Wagga as well as bringing those communities together to co-operate in its promotion and administration.

I hope that this historical account of the Carroll Cup competition will serve as a tribute to many, seen and unseen, who have participated and, in whatever capacity, helped develop it. May it also increase interest in, and support of our young people, not only in their sporting achievements but also in their general wellbeing.

Francis P. Carroll

The Most Reverend

Emeritus Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn”

The game of AFL has expanded into arguably the most dominant male sport in the Riverina and now includes female teams and competitions. Our KCC boys play in the Carroll Cup competition against our local high schools early next term and we wish them well in their pursuit of retaining the Cup from last year.

The following photos show some recent Carroll Cup teams 

Jacinta Murphy | Assistant KLA Coordinator - Maths