James Nash State High School offers students a broad and diverse range of sporting opportunities designed to promote physical activity, teamwork, and school spirit. From school-based carnivals and inter-house competitions to district, regional, state and national pathways, students are encouraged to participate, compete, and excel in a wide variety of sports.
Whether you're looking to stay active, try something new, or pursue excellence at an elite level, our sporting program provides something for everyone. With the support of dedicated staff and access to quality facilities, students have every opportunity to reach their potential and represent James Nash with pride.
Interschool Sport
At James Nash State High School, we are proud to offer a wide range of sporting opportunities that support our students' personal development and wellbeing. Participation in sport encourages leadership, strengthens teamwork, improves time management, builds confidence, and fosters positive relationships — all while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
The range of sports and opportunities available each year is influenced by a combination of factors, including local competition structures, student interest, and the availability of staff who generously volunteer their time to coach and support teams. We are grateful for the dedication of these staff members, whose efforts make it possible for students to engage in meaningful and enjoyable sporting experiences.
Whether aiming for personal achievement or simply getting involved for fun and fitness, every student is encouraged to participate and make the most of what school sport has to offer.
School Carnivals
James Nash State High School proudly hosts annual whole-school carnivals in Swimming, Cross Country, and Track and Field (Athletics). These events form the core of our House competition, where students represent one of four houses — Caledonia, Columbia, Glanmire, and Phoenix — in pursuit of the prestigious James Nash House Cup. Each house is named after a historical gold mine in the Gympie region, celebrating the rich heritage of our local community.
Each carnival features a mix of competitive and novelty events, offering opportunities for all students to participate. In addition to traditional races and field events, students can earn valuable house points through ball games and novelty challenges. These inclusive activities help build school spirit and strengthen house pride.
Highlighting individual excellence, each carnival includes a special handicapped event to determine the fastest student in the school:
- The Nash Splash is awarded to the fastest swimmer, based on a handicapped 50m Freestyle event.
- The Nash Flash recognises the fastest runner in Track and Field, based on a handicapped 100m sprint.
- The Nash Dash identifies the fastest cross-country runner, calculated from their time converted to a standardised 1km pace.
House competitions also continue throughout the year, led by our House Captains and supported by House Mentors. These interhouse challenges contribute additional points toward the overall House Cup tally.
Students who meet the qualifying standards at school carnivals are invited to represent James Nash at the Gympie District Trials. From there, athletes may progress to Wide Bay Regional Trials, Queensland State Championships, and even the National level — providing an excellent pathway for students striving for representative honours.
Competitive Representative Sports
Gympie District School Sport conducts Cluster Trials throughout the year, providing students with the opportunity to trial for various sports. Students may nominate for one sport per cluster to represent James Nash State High School, with the aim of being selected for the Gympie District Team.
From there, successful athletes may progress through the representative pathway, with the potential to be selected for the Wide Bay Regional Team, the Queensland State Team, and ultimately, to represent Australia at the national level.
Students may be eligible to trial for regional representation in the following sports: 
Representative Sport Pathways
At James Nash State High School, students have the chance to compete in sport at a range of levels — from school carnivals all the way to national championships. If you're passionate about sport and want to get involved, speak with our Sport Coordinator, Miss Tanika McClintock, for more information about how to take part.
Here's how the representative pathway works:
- School Level – Compete against other students in your age group at James Nash for a place on the school team.
- District Level – Represent James Nash at the Gympie District Trials and compete against students from other local schools.
- Regional Level – Make the Gympie District team and compete at the Wide Bay Regional Trials.
- State Level – Earn selection in the Wide Bay team and take on Queensland's best at the State Championships.
- National Level – Represent Queensland and compete at the Australian Championships.
Outside of School Sport
We would love to acknowledge and celebrate your students achievements that can't be recognised on Sport Awards night through social media posts, parades and notices.
To celebrate and recognise your student's sporting achievements outside of School Sport, please complete this Application Form. Please note that School Sport includes Cluster Trials; Gympie District Trials; Wide Bay Trials; States and Nationals.
Get in Touch!
If you have any enquiries about sports available at James Nash, please contact sports@jamesnashshs.eq.edu.au for further information.