Sporting Matters

Tasmanian Sam Askey-Doran breaks record at Hawaiian Ironman World Championship

Congratulations to Sam Askey-Doran (svc 2016-19) on an outstanding performance in Hawaii recently. Sam was one of 2491 to compete in this year’s event. The event consists of a 3.86m swim, followed by 180.2 km on the bike and finishing with the marathon run leg of 42.2 km. Sam competed in the 18-24 year age group and finished 17th from a field of 61 in a time of 9 hr 29.05. The outstanding feature of Sam’s performance was that he swam the fastest ever swim leg of any category – his time of 45.43 min. for the 3.86 km distance broke the previous best by 45 seconds.

A 5-minute interview on ABC radio with  Jo Spargo can be heard here.

Sam was previously featured in OVAtion as the winner of the 2023 and 2024 Trans Derwent Swim winner.

Welcome Home

Five of Tasmania's Olympic and Paralympic contingent received a hero's welcome upon their return to their home state.

Tasmanian Olympians Eddie Ockenden, Sarah Hawe, Alexandra Viney, Max Giuliani (svc 2012-19) and Jacob Despard (svc 2010-13) at Riverbend Park in Launceston.

Great picture in the Mercury recently. Chris Kidd caught former student Lachlan Borsboom (SVC 2011-18) in full flight for the Clarence Cricket senior team. Lachlan is not only having success in cricket but plays senior football with Clarence. He had previously played for Tasmania at U16 and U18 national championships and the Coats Talent League for the Devils. Also in the Clarence senior cricket team are Lachlan’s younger brother, Liam (svc 2012-19) and Luca DiVenuto (svc 2016-23), Michael’s son. Luca won the U18 medal for the Best Player in the CTPL (Cricket Tasmania Premier League) in 2023.

Keegan Oates

Photo by Nikki Davis Jones (Hobart Mercury)

Meanwhile at Lindisfarne - the other eastern shore tam in the CTPL- Keegan Oates (svc 2010-13) is captain of its senior team and the McGann brothers – Tom (svc 2016-19)  and Joe (2020-23) – are an integral part of it. Keegan recently returned the outstanding figures of 6 for 22 against Glenorchy.

Welsh to the resue

Saturday 12 October  -  day to remember for Jack Welch (svc 2010-13) – pictured above.  Jack scored a hattrick of goals in the National Hockey One League to enable the Tassie Tigers to defeat the NSW Pride.

ARCHIVAL PIC

From the past - Another success for the North Hobart A Grade Cricket Team – Premiers for the 1991-92 season

Back 5: Joe Holyman, Damien Green, Enrico DiVenuto (coach), Rohan Catherall & David Collins.

Middle 5: Peter DiVenuto, Mark Davis, Ben Speers, Michael DiVenuto & Chris Guiline 

Front 4: Dave Gilbert, Chris O’Neill, Mick Taylor & Tony Judd (SVC staff 1989-96)

Those in bold and underlined are Old Virgilians.

Furthermore, David Collins is the father of twins Will and Sam Collins (svc 2015-2018)

HOCKEY ARCHIVAL PIC

Another photo from the past - Catholic Hockey Club on reaching A Grade in 1962

Back Row:         Doug Gauntlett, Dennis Wiss, Geoff Doolan, David Poulson, Dennis Sainsbury, Jim Menadue and Bruce Poulson

Front Row:        Justin Barwick, Paul Bugg, David Hawkes, Martin Scurrah, Graham Harrington

(all are OV’s with the exception of Doug Gauntlett)

The Catholic Club morphed in to the Prince of Wales Club which in turn became the Diamond Backs - the Diamond Backs won the senior men’s and women’s trophies this year.