The Catholic Weekly 21 August 2022

SPORT It’s a rivalry as old as time. Marist Catholic CollegeNorth Shore and Marist College Kogarah faced off in a thrilling battle at the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 1 AFL Interschool Sport. After 100 years of contention between the two schools in almost every sport, theymet on the field to stake their claim in AFL for the first time. Heffron Park came to a standstill as everyone vied for a spot towatch this Senior Men’s game. Amongst the incredible kicks and astounding markswere a couple of friendly tackles and nosebleedswhich showed howhungry these teams were for victory. Half time had spectators convinced that Kogarahwere going towalk awaywith thewin as the score read 15-7. The tide then turned andNorth Shore came backwith a vengeance. By the final whistle they narrowly ledby 1withDaniel Mascarenhas awarded a free kick that could firmly secure the game. The nerveswere building for Daniel due to the rouse fromhis North Shore coach, Ian Laing. To ensure Daniel “feels the pressure” Ian told himtheir team were losing and that he needed to score this kick in order towin themthe game. The gameplay for North Shore had been to “keep it simple. It’s a simple game” said Ian. “I told themto try not to be too smart with the ball or overcomplicate things.” With triumph and reputation on You’re standing on the start line of the 100m sprint race. You crouch ready to fly for- ward. Anticipation builds. You look left, you look right, to see your competitors. Nerves rattle in your stomach. You’re racing against your family members. 2022 marked a surge in numbers for athletes with a disability at the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Con- ference 4 Athletics Champi- onship. Featuring not one, but two families competing in various multi-class events, this family-affair participation is a phenomenon never be- fore seen at this SCS event. The stage was set and the atmosphere was electric at Sydney Olympic Park as the 20 students competing in multi-class took to the track and field. With schools ready to jump, throw, and run their way to success, SCS also welcomed Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Lewisham. The College specialises in in- tellectual-disability learning and were attending an in- ter-school meet for the first time. The Sheto family from St Gertrude’s Smithfield had four athletes competing in the 100m sprint, the 200m sprint, and the long jump event. Twins Alina and Alyn, along with older sister Diana, were rivals in the junior girls age group. The beauty of mul- ti-class sport is that winning doesn’t always mean coming first. It is based on how well an athlete performs in their classification and against themselves. Adding to the conten- tion, all three girls had a T20 classification and went head-to-head with one an- other, battling it out in true sibling-rivalry fashion. The 11-year-old Adyn Sheto com- peted in the senior boys cat- egory. Also with a T20 classi- fication, Adyn proved himself as an all-rounder and claimed the title of champion for all events he participated in. With the addition of Eileen O’Connor Catholic College to the carnival came the success of the Hakim family. Although siblings Jean Paul, Mariam, and Robert were all in differ- ent age groups, the trio tack- led every track and field mul- ti-class event that was offered. Jean Paul was successful in his STUDENTS WERE starstruck by the appearance of the Aus- tralian Wallaroos at the SCS Womens Interschool Rug- by 7s Competition. The pro- gram is going from strength to strength as more girls go for gold in this game and the partnership between SCS and NSW Rugby has created brand new opportunities and pathways for students in this sport. Athletes from Our Lady of The Sacred Heart College Kensington and St Clare’s College Waverley were given the chance to be mentored and taught by none other than their very own Austral- ian representative role mod- els. Piper Duck and Mahalia Murphy from the Wallaroos team joined the girls in a skills development session ahead of game simulation training. “This is amazing! The fact they’re playing this young is actually really good to see be- cause it just hasn’t happened before” Piper said. Having made the journey from school rugby team to Australian player, Piper en- couraged the girls to go all the way in Rugby 7s. “Its exciting for these young girls to know they can become Wallaroos, represent their country, and travel the world as well.” Although it is the first time some of these female athletes are getting tackled, one play- er summed up her feelings about it by exclaiming “I got smashed and I loved it.” The Braids, bows, mud, and tackles. It’s a combination not often seen. These sibling-athletes give newmeaning to the term ‘family rivalry.’ ¾ Tasmyn Haynes Imagine how good they’re going to be What are the odds? senior boys 800m race, while Mariam was victorious in the junior girls 800m race and dis- cus. Robert made a name for himself in the throwing events by walking away with gold in both junior boys discus and shot put. Sport is globally known for its strong athletes GIRLS RUGBY ¾ Tasmyn Haynes ATHLETICS ¾ Tasmyn Haynes SENIOR BOYS AFL 100 years in the making SCHOOL SPORTS OLSH Kensington (red and blue) and St Clare’s (green) in game simulation training. Alyn Sheto from St Gertrude’s jumping in the multi class long jump event. Senior Boys AFL, Kogarah (white and red) VS North Shore (Blue and red). general consensus was one of excitement and awe at how strong these girls can really be and what they can take. Wallaroos player Mahalia revelled in how early these athletes are starting their Rugby careers thanks to the opportunities provided by SCS and NSW Rugby. “It gives them so much more hope and time to develop.” “I’ve seen a massive rise in participation and numbers in womens rugby and I believe it’s going to keep going” Ma- halia said. The SCS and NSW Rugby partnership offers promising futures for girls that are be- ginning their journey so early. The cultivation and nurturing of these young athletes in the world of Rugby 7s will lead to the next Australian repre- sentatives and role models for next generations to come. and their amazing achieve- ments. The SCS Athletics were no different and revealed in the accomplishments of these young students. The 20 partic- ipants with a disability proved that although defeats may be encountered, they have not been defeated.