The Catholic Weekly 9 October 2022

SPORT AS ONE of the world’s most popular team sports, it was no surprise that the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Inter- school Soccer had over 1200 primary school students ea- ger to hit the field. “There’s going to be the next Harry Kewell in there somewhere” said A-League Referee Tim Danaskos, who observed the competition bring out ath- letes’ skilful play and hunger for victory. The Interschool Soccer saw mass participation, running over three weeks and three dif- ferent venues in the Sutherland Shire District. The seven-a-side matches sported expert head- ers and slide tackles amongst the friendly shoves and tussles. In the event that the score was nil all by the final hooter, the ¾ Tasmyn Haynes Make room for SCS FC SCHOOL SPORTS winner would be decided by the most corners awarded to a team. SCS had 68 male teams enter, however the girls wer- en’t going to let the boys have all the fun, coming in with 64 teams of their own to make for an inspiringly even gender par- ticipation. Manager of Sport at SCS, Damien Kerr, highlighted the key difference between Con- ference 3’s Interschool Soccer when compared to the other Conferences Interschool sport. “This is the only one that’s had divisions or levels. Stu- dents were sorted into Level 1 and Level 2 to match like-abili- ties and create an even playing field” he said. “We’ve never had anything like this, ever. For the three weeks this has been held there has been 100 percent of kids participating.” Tim also sang the praises of the competition, attending the last day where schools faced off in the finals. His role was to mentor the secondary students from Aquinas Catholic College Menai who were thematch ref- erees, yet he couldn’t help but marvel at the talent being dis- played. “I’ve already seen one girl who I think will be playing in the National Premiere League” said Tim. Walking away from the Ka- reela Soccer Fields as champi- ons were St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Sutherland after their dominating Level 1 boys grand final win. As well as Holy Family Catholic Primary School Menai who secured the win after scoring a goal in the girls Level 1 final. All athletes were driven by passion and a love for the game. With the amount of smiles present both on the field from students and on the sidelines from parents, Dami- en expressed “there’s toomuch support for this to not continue it into the future.” Soccer Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Interschool Soccer CHAMPIONS: STPATRICK’S CATHOLICPRIMARY SCHOOL SUTHERLAND Kicking a corner at the SCS Interschool Soccer on the final day. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Aleksana (left) Nina (right) holding the Table Tennis trophy. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook are teaching the importance of sporting culture to their students. With the addition of new sports fields and a basketball court they are expected to soonmake waves in the wide world of sport. Hinchinbrook Principal, James Corcoran, explains that the introduction of the new Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Sports Programhas given not only his students, but students fromall over Sydney great opportunities and skills needed in life. “Being involved in sport is a really big part of spiritual, social, and emotional learning which is important for kids to have. Particularly for our part of Sydney that doesn’t have as much access to other fields and clubs, or as some families can’t afford little athletics, and tag, and league, and other things,” he said. The school has initiated a system that rewards students who represent SCS in three sports with a distinguished polo shirt, embroidered with their accomplishments that can be worn at school. ¾ Tasmyn Haynes Good Samaritan boosts sport Students get a taste of competitive soccer and a chance to stand out froma young age THEY SAY one of the strong- est bonds in life is sisterhood, but these girls from Bethle- hem College Ashfield used their partnership to take them to sporting champions and legends within their school. Nina and Aleksana Radevic have emerged from their sport- ing rampage with gold medals galore. The sisters were not only victorious in their respec- tive age groups for the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Tennis Tournament, but also won the SCS Table Tennis Gala Day Senior Division as a teamwith- out dropping a set. When one “hates to lose” and the other “loves to win” it’s sure to be a matchmade in heaven. The girls were destined for a sporting career from the moment they were born. Year 11 student, Nina, began play- ing tennis at a young age and it wasn’t long before younger sister, Aleksana, followed in the family footsteps. “We grew up with a tennis history because mum was a professional tennis player and we learnt from her. Our mum is where we get our motiva- tion from, we look up to her and she’s our role model” said Nina. “I’m a state tennis player now and we do regular prac- tices every day whichmakes us The sisters of success ¾ Tasmyn Haynes TABLE TENNIS Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Table Tennis Championships Senior Girls - WINNER Bethlehem College, Ashfield better. My sister and I train to- gether, sometimes we also play doubles.” After taking the SCS Ten- nis Competition by storm the Radevic sisters set their sites onto a smaller court. Table Tennis. “It was one of the best SCS Gala Days we’ve been to and was so much fun. The skills in tennis and table tennis are transferrable and hand eye co- ordination is key. It all comes in handy when you have a racket and a ball” said Aleksana. As Aleksana is only in Year 8 she had to play up into the Senior division in order to stand alongside Nina. She took the challenge in her stride and found it was where she be- longed as there “wasn’t much competition inmy division.” “I wanted to play with my sister. We know how to play together, work as a team, and know each others strengths and weaknesses. After we won I was really proud of myself, the senior girls were all actually seniors, I wasn’t versing any- one from my age group” she said. The girls live by the mottos “in it to win it” and “teamwork makes thedreamwork.” It isnot surprising that this competitive spirit spills out into other as- pects of their life as well. “We always like to challenge each other, even in school we compare grades” said Aleksa- na. The Radevic sisters’ sporting talents have not gone unno- ticed at their school, with Nina being elected as Sports Captain by her peers. “My friends want to see me on TV so they can say ‘I went to school with that girl’” she said. When a racket and a ball is close by, so is victory Nina and Aleksana’s aspi- rations are to have promis- ing sporting careers and they don’t plan on stopping their sister-duo of success anytime soon. We’ve never had anything like this, ever... there has been 100 percent of kids participating.”