The Catholic Weekly 25 September 2022

SPORT TO HAVE one student suc- ceed in the world of sport is something to be celebrated, but this year Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbro- ok has gone for the trifecta. Representing Sydney Catho- lic Schools (SCS), three stu- dents took the NSWCombined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Athletics Championships by storm and have now set their sights on All Schools and be- yond. Hinchinbrook students Lachlan Harkness, Alyssa Mi- chael, and Valentina Richetti were a force to be reckoned with at the NSWCCC Athletics after each student dominated their specialty events. Having just entered the wide world of Secondary Athletics, Year 7 student Valentina is already showing promise after finish- ing 5th in Shot Put and 6th in Discuss at the Championships. “It takes a lot of effort and I love making new friends” she said, reflecting on her journey from ‘Tiny Tots Athletics’ to SCS Representative. Also fuelled by friendship and “knowing you can always improve your performance” is Alyssa who is currently in Year 8 at Hinchinbrook. Following her success at the Championships, Alyssa will be going on to compete at All Schools Athletics in the Hur- dles event. ¾ Tasmyn Haynes Athletic superstars SCHOOL SPORTS Dedicating most of her days to speed and endurance train- ing, Alyssa is definitely one to watch and has big plans for her athletics career. “I want to go to the Com- monwealth Games and then the Olympic Games. I get my inspiration for hurdles from Sally Pearson, she’s my role model” she said. Alyssa admitted that in the beginning of her training she wasn’t the biggest fan of the event, but since obtaining a coach, hurdling has leapt and bounded into her heart. On the other side of the track, competing in long dis- tance events is Hinchinbro- ok’s Year 10 student, Lachlan. Coming from a dance back- ground, the multi-sport ath- lete says he loves to compete and is going to “see how far I can go.” “I enjoy running, it’s quite relaxing and gets my mind off things. Athletics and danc- ing are both cardio and the breathing is similar. They’re both hard and I find they help each other out” he said. Lachlan is a star on the track and will be competing at All Schools Athletics in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m track events. For those that are wondering what the secret to success is, Lachlan advises to “be patient with what you’re doing.” “Don’t expect results straight away, take the posi- tives and apply it to your next race to become a better ath- lete” he reveals. At school, these students have achieved a legendary sta- tus and received support from not only their peers, but par- ents and teachers as well. “We really appreciate differ- ent teachers coming up to us and congratulating us saying they saw our races on the live stream” Lachlan said. Good Samaritan Princi- pal, James Corcoran, gushed at how proud the school is of their students’ achievements, saying “the opportunity to get on a big stage and compete is appreciated. We are looking to build that sporting culture with the kids and give them every opportunity.” The Catholic ethos the school has instilled on their students can be carried over in to all aspects of their life. “Through our religion class- es and Masses we are taught to respect one another and real- ly show compassion” Lachlan said. “If you respect your oppo- nents and show them sports- manship you’re going to get a lot back. Always shaking oth- ers’ hands after a race is an im- portant part of the sport.” To have a single school pro- duce multiple students with such talent is an achievement within itself. Looking forward to bright futures, Alyssa leaves advice to up-and-coming ath- letes. “The effort you put in is the effort you get out when you perform.” ATHLETICS Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Athletics Championships Good Samaritan Catholic College, Hinchinbrook MEDALWINNERS Alyssa, Lachlan, and Valentina with their medals from the Sydney Athletics Championships. PHOTO: SUPPLIED St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School, Bankstown playing volleyball PHOTO: SUPPLIED THERE WAS no shortage of spirit at the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Interschool Vol- leyball. “It’s so much fun be- cause volleyball isn’t played of- ten in school” said a student from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Georges Hall. The sports program provid- ed an inaugural opportunity for students to not only be taught skills anddrills, but tobring their learning to fruition and com- pete against others in an all-in- clusive Volleyball initiative. The Conference 4 program accom- modated all abilities through the addition of Newcombe Ball and Sitting Volleyball. Students were sorted into these divisions to eliminate the risk of unfair play and ensure participation. As the only conference that provided lesson outlines to be taught in the weeks leading up to the interschool Volleyball, the coordinator of the program, Peta Haynes, highlights the im- portance of “purposeful learn- ing.” “The students learn the skills and logistics of the sport in their PE lessons and then put that learning into action by playing Volleyball for all abilities ¾ Tasmyn Haynes ATHLETICS VOLLEYBALL Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Interschool Volleyball Held at Bankstown Basketball Stadium against other schools. This also provides learning and profes- sional development for the Year 6 teachers.” “It is great to see students taking ownership of the games, officiating, and problem solving by themselves” Peta comment- ed, referring to the sense of re- sponsibility teams felt as it was up to the athletes to read the draw, navigate the stadium, and score their own games. Bankstown Basketball Sta- dium was buzzing with excite- ment and cheers, which was often so deafening the hooter could just be heard. The competitive spirit and sportsmanship was alight across all 3 divisions where ath- letes showcased the skills they had been taught. The rain beat down on finals day for the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Rugby 7s Competition. Themuddy battle grounds were torn up by the hard tackles and brute-force scrums these Conference 1 Secondary teams demonstrated. Grand final matches saw bloody displays of dedication and tremendous skill, with schools giving their all to contend for the title of ‘Champion’. In a dominating Intermediate Girls final Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Kensington defeated Brigidine College Randwick 28-0. The Junior Girls division was taken out by Randwick in a well-matched game against St Clare’s College Waverly. The Junior Boys final combined the top team from Pool A and Pool Bwhichmade for an exciting clash of schools. In a 40-0 run, Holy Cross College Ryde were triumphant over Champagnat Catholic College Pagewood. The Intermediate Boys game was peppered with breakaway tries leading Marcellin College Randwick to victory over Ryde. Christian Brothers High School Lewisham were crowned the winners of the Senior Boys division after leaving it all on the field against Marist Catholic College North Shore. Amidst the teamcheers and chants, winners traded their sweat-soaked jerseys for goldmedals. There was a look of hunger in all athletes eyes for their next opportunity to play Rugby 7s. ¾ Tasmyn Haynes Rugby 7’s Gala Day “It’s really fun. We are all good at different things and we work together. I think sitting is way harder than normal volley- ball” said one team. The energy was even felt by Sideline Medic, Annette Gaw- thorne. “Usually some kids fake an injury to stop playing but there was absolutely none of that” she said. “The kids were all so hap- py and bubbly. When I sat and watched it, it was very obvious that this interschool sport was inclusive.” The SCS Interschool Volley- ball is the beginning of many more proposed programs fol- lowing this structure, as the dream of mass participation and increased numbers in alter- native sports become a reality. RUGBY 7’s FINAL Intermediate Girls Final Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Kensington WINNERS Junior Boys Final Holy Cross College, Ryde WINNERS 28-0 pts 40-0 pts Three students from one school represent SCS in Athletics Championship Schools serving up skills in Volleyball, Newcombe Ball, and Sitting Volleyball