Winning

Age is no barrier to ongoing success

At an age when some people are contemplating a quiet walk through a park or a lazy Sunday lunch there are some people who continue to test themselves in their chosen field of sport. This is the case for two of St Albans Secondary College’s long serving staff who have once again reached the pinnacle in their sporting pursuits.

During the recent term break Mr Mark Micallef and Mr Ian Crocker took on like-minded adults in their passions of Road Cycling and AFL Masters Football.

On Sunday, 24 September Mr Micallef headed down to Learmonth in country Victoria to contest the Victorian Teachers' Games Cycling Road Race. “It was raining and windy, and a difficult race. I managed to win the Gold, it's my 9th Gold which I'm pretty stoked with,” exclaimed Mr Micallef.

Mr Crocker pulled on his footy boots in the AFL Masters National Carnival held in Geelong and represented the Over 60’s Victorian Metro State Team. After 3 games in a week, the second one being on Simonds Stadium (the home of the Geelong Cats), another national carnival was done. Over those 3 games were contests against South Australia, Queensland and a strong NSW contingent. The competition was fierce to be the best state in Australia.

Part of the celebrations is that the umpires vote on each game across the week and then an All Australian side is selected from the best players in each age group. Mr Crocker was selected in the Over 60’s All Australian Team of 22 from over 185 players. Not too bad for 62 years of age but at the end of the day age is just a number and AFL Masters Football is – Football for Fun!