Oztag News

Oztag Gala Days

On Tuesday 20 June and Thursday 22 June, 53 brave students across Stage 4 and 5 took to Central Coast Regional Sport and Recreational Complex to partake in OzTag Gala Days. Both days started before the sun was up, with a train that left Gosford just after 6.30am. The students, as well Mr Sheppard and Mr Kessler, tackled (or tagged) the cold weather and the early starts with no concerns at all. With some mixed results for all groups, the teams participated extremely well, and represented Henry Kendall High School with courage and excellence. 

Year 7/8 Boys:

The boys started the day bright and early with the first game against Wyong High School to be played at 8.00am. Whilst most students were warming up in their jumpers and jackets, this didn’t faze the confidence and enthusiasm the boys demonstrated during the game, coming away with a 5-0 win. After a short 20-minute break before the next game, the boys knew they were in for a tough game coming up against Central Coast Sports College. The students fought hard all game and came away with a 4-2 loss, which was an incredible effort against such a team. However, shortly later, the confidence and enthusiasm slowly disappeared with the team losing 6-2 to St Edwards College, which meant they were to miss out on a finals spot. The last game of the day, we were up against the competition favourites, which had not lost all day. Unfortunately, the team lost in a tight match 12-1. Outstanding players on the day went to Zane Medlin, Jackson Poole, and Logan White which continued a high level of effort all day. Well done to all!

Year 7/8 Girls:

The girls had a late start to the day as opposed to the boys, with their first game starting at 9.20am. As a result, the girls were anxiously waiting around to play their first game. This long wait built up nerves and these nerves became evident in their first game which ended up in a 5-0 loss to Lakes Grammar. The result of this game knocked some confidence out of the group, which made the remaining games a struggle. The girls were defeated in their next two games, versing excellent oppositions in Brisbane Water Secondary College - Umina and St Joseph’s Catholic College. When all hope was lost, the playing groups decided “let’s just have fun and try our best no matter what”, and to that, they did. After not having scored a try all day, it was the tremendous effort from Anna Monteleone who crossed the line for our first and only try of the day! Unfortunately, the final game against Kincumber also ended up in a loss. Regardless of the results, the girls had fun and came together as a close group which was rewarding to see. 

Outstanding players on the day were:

Anna Monteleone, Halle Souter and Sairsha Jagger.

Year 9/10 Boys:

The boys were excited to go, even after finding out they had a bye in the first round which pushed their first game back 40 minutes. Taking on Kincumber High School in their first game, there were some positive signs after scoring an early try. Unfortunately, Kincumber High School were the better side in game one, taking the win in a close contest. However, this was just water off a ducks back for the boys as they turned their result around in game two with a strong win over St Brigid’s Catholic College. 

Facing the competition favourites Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College - Berkeley Vale in game three, the boys fought gallantly throughout the whole game with some strong efforts from Connor Gunn. Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College - Berkeley Vale ended up piling on the tries in a 8-0 demolition. To make the finals from here, we only needed to win by 20 points in our last game. To the boys credit, somehow they believed they were going to be able to do this. I wish I could say that we saved the best game to last; however, that would make me a liar. With the finals out of reach, some of the boys looked as if they were falling asleep on the field. 

At the end of the day, the group formed some great connections and tried some adventurous plays with flick passes and cut out passes from one side of the field to the other. Although, I think some might need to refine their skills before trying this again. Outstanding players were Cordell Shenje, Connor Gunn, Ryan White and Cohen Hopping.

Year 9/10 Girls:

It was a fresh, but calm morning at Tuggerah Sporting Complex with Jessica Poechhacker relishing the opportunity to enjoy the “Sunset” rising in the vast distance… With the temperature below 10 degrees and little signs of the temperature rising, it didn’t stop the girl’s enthusiasm and excitement to produce some quality OzTag throughout the day. 

The team started the day off with a close loss against St. Brigid’s Catholic College with a score of 4-0; however, that didn’t faze the girls as they claimed they were still, “warming up” and better results were ahead. Unfortunately, the results didn’t improve going down to Brisbane Water Secondary College - Umina, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College - Berkeley Vale, and the competition favourites Central Coast Sports College. With 4 losses, and no tries awarded, it didn’t stop the students from having a fantastic day enjoying the company of their peers and “Shessler” (Mr Kessler & Mr Sheppard). Outstanding players were Sarah Hyland and Tehya Sweeney. Well done girls!

"The Shessler"

Jarrod Kessler & Mathew Sheppard 

Oztag Coaches