EXCEL Sports Program 

EXCEL Sport 3X3 Basketball Carnival

The Years 8, 9 and 10 EXCEL Sport Classes attended the Junior and Intermediate 3 x 3 Basketball Carnival at the State Basketball Centre on Wednesday April 27 and Friday April 29. There were over 150 teams competing from all over Victoria. Patterson River Secondary College entered 7 male and 3 female teams over the 2 days. Each team played between four to five 12-minute games. This carnival is always a challenging day for the EXCEL Sport Program as the competition at this level is extremely strong from many basketball academies throughout Melbourne. I was extremely proud of the Patterson River students who played competitively and improved collectively with each game. The group demonstrated a level of determination and resilience and had many moments where they took it right up to some very talented basketballers. Three of the boys’ teams were unlucky to miss a finals berth after only losing one game in the preliminary rounds. The Intermediate girls’ team of Kiara Clark, Jorja De Chene, Clavea Suailua-Pati and Xanthe Davis made the Quarter Finals and narrowly missed out on progressing after going into overtime. Well done to the whole class. Thank you to the 7 Deakin University student teachers who assisted me over the two days.

Year 7 EXCEL Sport School Futsal Titles

On Wednesday 18th May the Year 7 EXCEL Sport class entered one girls’ team and two boys’ teams in the School Futsal Titles held at Monash University Clayton. This is always a tough competition against schools that have been training for this event since the start of the year and are comprised of elite soccer players. It was a massive learning curve for the Patterson River Secondary College students in resilience, perseverance and rapid skill development. Mr. Leith and I were extremely proud of the effort shown by all the students to continue to compete throughout the day and watch them grow as soccer players. One of the boys’ teams only lost one game throughout the preliminary rounds, and was unlucky to miss the grand final, while the girl’s team was crowned the 13 Girls School Futsal Titles champions after being the only entry into the event and playing 4 games in an extremely competitive draw against junior boys’ teams. Congratulations to the following students who were selected to represent Victoria at the 2022 National School Futsal Championships in Brisbane in September by the State selectors watching the event: Jireh Upkett, Thomas Chalmers, Tyler Dudley-Maude, Harper Goldsmith, and Tyson Rowley. A fantastic day.

Rugby 7s Gala Day

On Thursday 2nd June the Year 8 and 10 EXCEL Sport Classes went to Moorabbin Rugby Union Football Club to participate in the East Rugby 7s Gala Day. Patterson River Secondary entered a male and female team in each of the Under 14 and Under 16 divisions. The U16 teams were playing against extremely tall and well-built State players but continued to fight their way through games and never gave up regardless of the score.

The U14 teams were fantastic throughout the day, laying hard tackles and passing and running the ball to the try lines. Both teams finished in the top two, which means they progress through to the State finals on Wednesday 20th July at Box Hill Rugby Union Club. Congratulations to Xanthe Davis and Dakota Lehner who were scouted by selectors to represent the State team in their respective age groups. I am extremely proud of all the students for trying a new sport and representing the College with distinction. Thank you to Mr. Orange, Mr. Hayes and Ms. Hemphill for coaching and assisting throughout the day.

Year 9 EXCEL Sport Golf 

The Year 9 EXCEL Sport students did a 5-week Golf unit under the guidance of PGA member Greg Dowling from the 1st Tee Golf Program. The students were taught the fundamentals of golf including fairway shots, approach shots and putting. The unit culminated in a game at Edithvale Public Golf Course. Thank you to Greg Dowling for passing on his knowledge and expertise and Mr. McLoughlin for assisting throughout the golf sessions. 

Ms Allan

EXCEL Sport Program Manager