Sport News

Last weekend saw the commencement of our Term 3 AIC sports with tennis, basketball and rugby league competing against Iona College in Round 1. We also had our renewed internal basketball competition kick off last weekend with fresh enthusiasm and energy which was great to see. This coming week we have Round 2, our first home fixtures, along with hockey starting in the Brisbane Schoolboys competition, a midweek 9A rugby league catch up fixture and we are having our second track and field internal meet of the season on Friday. 

Our 1st IV tennis team had a good win 7-1 and Marist won 11 matches to 5 losses overall. The Iona 1st XIII rugby league boys were too strong throughout, winning 26-0. Overall, Iona had 9 wins, there were 2 draws and Marist won 3 matches in the first round of the expanded rugby league program. The 1st V basketball went down after a gritty fight back early in the final quarter to get within 4 before Iona jumped away again to win 87-71. Overall Marist won 6 matches with Iona winning 26.

This weekend we host St Peters Lutheran College, with Ambrose Treacy College providing some supplementary matches. Marist are hosting most matches here so please check the draw carefully. We look forward to a day of friendly competition against our local rivals. 

I reminded the boys on assembly in Week 1 that as Marist men we must always maintain our discipline and control as we represent the College in any sporting competition and in any environment. Players, coaches and student spectators are representatives of the College in the wider community. 

AIC Golf Championships

Last Monday saw the AIC come together for the 2025 Golf Championships at Keperra Country and Golf Club. Marist finished second in the net teams competition 6 points behind St Laurences and Matthew Christensen finished second 87 gross (69 nett) and Joshua Pope finished fourth 86 gross (72 nett). Joshua was our lowest gross score on the day. This was our best result in a number of years. Well done to the entire team of Matthew Christensen, Joshua Pope, James Milasas, Archer Tallon and Hugh Ambrose. My thanks are extended to Mr Marcus Schrader for supervising the team throughout. 

Expectations for Training

There has been significant progress here so well done, some sports are doing better than others and it is a good time to re-highlight our expectations for training.

• ARRIVAL: Start times are just that- not arrival times. If training starts at 3:30pm that means you are on the field with boots on ready to go, not just arriving.
• DRESS CODE: All players are to arrive in Marist training kit. Players not in the correct apparel will be excluded from training.
• ATTITUDE: Training is work time not social time. To play at your best you need to train at your best. ATTITUDE is vital here.
• COMMUNICATING ABSENCE: An email is required if you are going to miss to your coach to explain why. 
• CONSEQUENCES: Doing the wrong thing is letting down your school; your coaches; your teammates and most importantly yourself. 
• EQUIPMENT: Where a sport has mandated safety equipment all training sessions will require the wearing of these items. This includes, but is not limited to, boots/specialty shoes, shin pads and mouthguards. Boys will not be allowed to participate in training sessions without these.

Concussion Management

Concussion is a growing area in sport and the more we are learning the more concerning it is for everyone. Our foremost priority is the safety of our students. No sporting fixture is worth taking any chances with the long-term health and wellbeing of our boys.

Our College concussion management plan is detailed and strong. We make no concessions to this. We have been guided by the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement (2024) and the AIS Concussion Guidelines for Community and Youth Sport. Our procedure is in alignment with the Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) procedure and consistent with our brother AIC schools. The slight grey area is that not all club national/state sporting organisations have endorsed the same policy. This will cause some confusion for parents of boys who play some of the club sports. But regardless of the club sport’s process, our 21-day policy for a suspected concussion diagnosed by a health care practitioner cannot be changed.

What is Concussion?

There are a growing number of case studies and case series which document CTE neuropathological change (CTE-NC) in retired athletes with a history of RHT. Over recent years there has been elevated public awareness of concussion and increased focus on the importance of diagnosing and managing the condition promptly, safely and appropriately. 

Concussion is a brain injury resulting in a disturbance of brain function. It affects the way a person thinks, feels and remembers things. Concussion can affect an individual in a variety of ways, including:

What Causes Concussion?

A concussion occurs through a collision with another person or object where biomechanical forces to the head, or anywhere on the body transmit an impulsive force to the head/brain. In most cases, this results in transient neurological impairment. It should be noted that concussion can also occur with relatively minor ‘knocks’.

Onset of Symptoms

Concussion is often an evolving injury, with symptoms changing over hours or days following the injury.  There are often adverse effects on balance and cognitive function. Recovery times following concussion vary between athletes. Physiological recovery may take longer than measures of clinical recovery and the average time taken to resolve symptoms may vary according to sex, age, presence of pre-injury medical conditions and para-athlete status.

How to Recognise Concussion

The following visible cues (signs) or symptoms are assumed to be concussion related and the student must be immediately removed from play.

Red Flags

The signs and symptoms of concussion can sometimes be the same as more severe head injuries. If the following signs and symptoms occur, they may be a sign that there is something more serious happening. These are called RED FLAGS and if they occur you should immediately attend the nearest Accident and Emergency Centre, or ring 000 for an ambulance.

• Deteriorating conscious state (i.e. becoming drowsier)
• Increasing confusion or irritability
• Behaving unusually or a change in their normal behaviour
• Fit, seizure or convulsions
• Double vision
• Slurred speech
• Continuing unsteadiness on their feet
• Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
• Severe or increasing headache
• Repeated vomiting - more than once etc.
• Severe or unusual neck pain

Procedure 

Recognise

Any student suspected of suffering a head injury or a suspected concussion will be assessed by either the coach, manager, staff member or medical officer as having a head injury or concussion as per signs and symptoms- see AIC Concussion Referral and Clearance Form

Remove

The student suspected of having a head injury or concussion will be immediately withdrawn from participating in the current game or training session.

Record

The coach, manager, staff member or medical officer must then complete Section 1 of the AIC Concussion Referral and Clearance Form. This form is handed to the parent/guardian to keep for the remainder of this process. It is important that this form is well kept throughout this process as it will need to be fully completed and handed back to the Marist College Concussion Officer.

Referral

The student will be referred to a healthcare practitioner within 72 hours of the injury. The healthcare practitioner must complete Section 2 on the AIC Concussion Referral and Clearance Form. The healthcare practitioner’s role is to assess the student and guide their progress over the remaining steps in the process, they cannot clear the student of concussion.

Rest

Rest is crucial to recovery from concussion. The player must completely rest for 24-48 hours after the injury with the aim of reducing the signs and symptoms to a level where all medications have stopped (ideally disappeared).

Recover and Light Exercise

The focus of this recovery period is about getting back to normal life including school, study, work but not hard physical exercise. During this phase, the student is introduced to the Graded Return to Sport Framework (GRTSF) schedule. 

Introduction to Training

The student can return to light physical activity, training sessions (avoiding all contact activities) and PE classes.

Record and Return to Full Training

The student can return to contact training when the following has occurred:

• The student has fully recovered from the concussion and has had no symptoms for at least 14 days.
• A healthcare practitioner has reviewed the student and completed Section 3 of the AIC Concussion Referral and Clearance Form. This completed form needs to be returned to the Concussion Officer.

Return to Competition

The student may only return to competition when the following has occurred:

• The student has completed all previous steps, including the return of the completed AIC Concussion Referral and Clearance Form. 
• It has been more than 20 days post injury.
• The student has remained symptom free for at least 14 days.

We are very aware that 21 days is a significant period in an AIC season. If the player reaches each of the markers without symptoms, he will miss the part of the game where the injury occurred and two subsequent fixtures before being ready to play again. 

There are lots of good academic articles and position papers on concussion but something I can recommend to parents that highlighted for me the severity of this was a podcast interview earlier this year with rugby league “immortal” (I chose that word deliberately) Wally Lewis. The podcast is The Howie Games May 7 2025. Both the messages from Wally and the side commentary by host Mark Howard highlighted the significance of this issue for me.

Uniforms

A reminder that all old sports uniforms have been retired after a two-year grace period in 2021 and 2022. All boys need to be wearing the current uniform, with old supplier unforms cannot be used in competition matches.

Student Achievements

Gymnastics

Dusty Miller continues to perform wonderful things in the sport of gymnastics. At the recent Australian Championships Dusty came second in All Around (Overall) and won Pommel Horse. This is a remarkable achievement in a very demanding sport. Well done Dusty! 

Rugby

Congratulations to Stanley Grellman (Year 10) and Mr Chris Daykin (coach) who were members of the Met North Under 15 Rugby Union team that won the state championships on the weekend. Well done also to Lachlan Webster and Ethan Londema who were a part of the Met North second team that finished third.

Basketball

Ms Samantha Davids - Basketball Coordinator

Basketball Round 1 Recap – MCA Takes the Court!

The season tipped off in style as our mighty Marist teams faced Iona in a weekend full of hustle, heart and high-energy play. It was a debut to remember for our Year 5 teams—their first time suiting up for MCA basketball—and they brought the buzz from start to finish! Despite a tough matchup against the black and white "gorillas," our Bee teams kept the sting in their step, battling bravely to the final whistle.

Special shoutout to our 5C and 5D teams whose incredible team cohesion had coaches singing their praises.

Marist Momentum Builds

A new day brought new opportunities and our Marist basketballers rose to the challenge. We celebrated solid wins across the board, including: 7C, 8C, 3rds, 11D, 11C and 8B teams

It was a tough weekend overall but filled with lessons and growth. Our teams are already focused and fired up for the next training session, eyes locked on improvement.

This Saturday – Home Court Advantage!

We’re back at home this weekend, ready to show St Peters Lutheran how MCA basketball bounces back! Grab a mate and bring the energy - our 1st V team hits the court at 12:00pm sharp and every team will appreciate your cheers.

Competition Kick-Off

Our beloved Fast Break Friday and Super Shot Saturday competitions are officially underway! A huge thank you to our amazing helpers and organisers who made launch weekend a slam dunk success.

Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Safety Notice | Hayden Oval Thank you for your continued support with this issue. Safety is an important part of all of our programs and we are conscious that there is a lot of activity around Hayden Oval and the tennis courts. Track and Field training (discus, shot put and javelin) is well and truly underway on Hayden Oval for Term 3. At any time you are walking across Hayden Oval or wanting to enter the tennis courts area, please adhere to the following safety guidelines: Look for Bunting, Signs and Witches Hats: These markers are placed to indicate restricted areas.  Safe Route: To move between the bus stop and tennis courts, please use the road up to the new primary building and the stairs closest to the tennis shed. Please do not walk across Hayden Oval. Your cooperation is essential in ensuring everyone's safety during training sessions. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Marist Track and Field | Age Champions

Congratulations to the following students for their consistent performances at the recent Inter-House Track and Field carnival. During last week’s full College assembly, Mr Newman congratulated the Age Champions and recognised them for their outstanding efforts across the competition.

U12 Years 

1st – Jack Thurgood (17pts) 

2nd Equal – Spencer Hoddy (14pts) 2nd Equal – Lucas Crowley (14pts) 2nd Equal – Flynn Barrett (14pts) 

U13 Years 

1st – Max King (30pts) 

2nd – Fred Little (12pts) 

3rd – Will Minahan (11pts) 

U14 Years 

1st – Darcy Frazier (19pts) 

2nd Equal – Nate Griffin (15pts) 2nd Equal – Dilpreet Sharma (15pts)

U15 Years 

1st – Hayden Lockhart (29pts) 

2nd – Sania Elisala (25pts) 

3rd – Ben Flanagan (18pts) 

U16 Years 

1st – Riley Hansel (33pts) 

2nd – Connor Campbell (28pts) 

3rd – Bob Ackerie (13pts) 

Opens

1st – Zac Milligan (23pts) 

2nd – Lyndon Maynard (14pts) 

3rd – Elliot Aldridge (10pts)

Marist Track and Field | Term 3 T&F Meets

Selection for the Marist AIC Track and Field Championship team has well and truly started. For all students wishing to earn a spot on the team, the remaining Track and Field Meets in Term 3 are –

Friday 1 August – Internal Mini Meet #2 (Marist)

Friday 8 August – Internal Mini Meet #3 (Marist)

Thursday 28 August – AIC Practice Meet #1 (SAF – State Athletics Facility)

Wednesday 3 September – AIC Practice Meet #2 (SAF – State Athletics Facility)

Thursday 11 September – AIC Practice Meet #3 (SAF – State Athletics Facility)

Wednesday 17 September – AIC Practice Meet #4 (SAF – State Athletics Facility)

It would be great to see all students wishing to be a part of the team attend as many meets as possible.

Marist Track and Field | Term 3 Training

Monday and Wednesday (ALL students): 3:30-5:00pm

Tuesday (Primary long jump and hurdles): 6:45am-8:10am

Wednesday (Secondary hurdles): 7:10-8:20am

Friday (Primary high jump): 6:45-8:00am

Sunday (ALL students welcome): 3:15-4:30pm

NOTE – a reminder that Friday 1 August (Week 3) will be Internal Mini Meet #2

Marist Track and Field | Uniform

A reminder that the DRESS CODE for all T&F training sessions is as per the 2025 Track and Field Handbook. MCA sports shirts / Marist T&F singlet, Marist sports shorts and white or blue socks. For competitive events including Internal Mini Meets, the DRESS CODE is as per the 2025 Track and Field Handbook. Marist T&F singlet, Marist sports shorts and white or blue socks.It is important we get this right now as we have a mini meet this Friday afternoon here at the College and we will be competing in the AIC Championship AS A TEAM wearing this uniform.

Track and Field Handbook

Please see the Parent Orbit app for the 2025 Track and Field Handbook.

The Handbook includes the relevant Track and Field information for students and parents / guardians. If you have any further questions, please contact Mr Richard Graham.

Marist Track and Field | Sign On

Please go to Parent Orbit and see information regarding sign on. All students who wish to be involved in the Track and Field program are asked to sign up via the student café. Once your son/s have signed up all parents or caregivers MUST approve the signup via Parent Lounge and edit or update any medical details. 

This assists the College in organising the appropriate number of coaching staff and to deliver the necessary resources.

NOTE – If your son isn’t registered, you will NOT receive any information via the Parent Orbit regarding the Track and Field program, including schedules and relevant information.

Marist Track and Field | Camp (SAVE THE DATE)

The Track and Field Camp is a vital component of the team’s preparation for the AIC Championship. Over 2½ days, students will receive high-level coaching and mentoring from an exceptional team of specialists including National and Olympic-level coaches across various track and field disciplines.

Attendance at the camp is by invitation only and invitations will be sent to selected students in late August. Selection is based on a range of factors, including performance, attitude, attendance and team composition.

This camp provides an outstanding opportunity for students to refine their skills, build team camaraderie and gain valuable insights from elite-level coaches as we prepare to defend both our AIC Secondary and AIC Primary Championship trophies.

NOTE – a small group of Year 6 students will be invited to attend the Friday session at UQ. This group will be made aware closer to the time.

Camp Information

Dates: Thursday 18 – Saturday 20 September 2025

Venues: Sleeman Sports Complex (Accommodation) / UQ Track and Field (Training and Performance)

Marist Track and Field | September Holiday Meets

During the September holidays, the College will lead two Track and Field practice meets.

WHEN: Thursday 25 September and Thursday 2 October

TIME: 8:00am – 11:45am

WHERE: UQ Sporting Precinct

Further information will be provided closer to the time.

Sunday Sessions | Track and Field Training

This year, Marist College will be aiming to win its 11th successive Secondary AIC Track and Field Championship and its 5th successive Primary AIC Track and Field Championship. Achieving this success requires planning, commitment and effort across the entire year.

At this early stage, the training focus is on Sprints, Hurdles, Throws and Jump Plyometrics.

For all students wishing to train, Mr Rob Martin will continue running his Sunday training sessions. Please see the details below:

INCLUDED: Running – sprints and jumps / Throws – early pre-season fitness and cross training, along with throwing.

WHEN: Sunday afternoons

WHERE: Hayden Oval

TIME: 3:15-4:45pm 

DRESS: Marist sport shirt, Marist sports shorts, white or blue socks.

Marist Track and Field – Social Media 

@marist_ashgrove_sports

Marist College has continued to showcase incredible moments in Track and Field again this year, from Year 5 victories to exceptional feats by our Year 12 students, all vividly captured on our social media pages.

Follow us and stay up-to-date with Marist Track and Field on Instagram - @marist_ashgrove_sports

Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Queensland State Championships | Met North

Congratulations to Mr Chris Daykin (1st XV coach) and three students from the undefeated 10As - Stanley Grellman, Lachlan Webster and Ethan Londema who recently represented Met North at the Queensland U15 State Rugby Union Championships.

Mr Daykin was a coach of the Met North #1 team, with Stanley Grellman named as a member of his squad. Lachlan Webster and Ethan Londema were both selected in the Met North #2 team.

During the four-day tournament, both Stanley and Lachlan were recognised for their outstanding performances, each being named Man of the Match in one of their games. 

Met North #1 claimed the championship title with a win over Met East in the final, while Met North #2 defeated Darling Downs in the third-place playoff. 

Well done to all involved!

Marist Rugby Union | Social Media 

@marist_ashgrove_rugby

During the 2025 rugby union season, the College delivered some wonderful rugby memories through our social media pages. From the smallest bumblebees in Year 5 through to the biggest bumblebees in Year 12, all of it was captured in wonderful colour.

To stay connected with Marist rugby and with all the program’s achievements, please follow our Instagram page @marist_ashgrove_rugby.

Tennis

Mr Andrew Ward - Director of Tennis

Around the Courts – Week 1 Recap

The AIC tennis season officially launched this week, with our Opens teams travelling to Iona College to begin their 2025 campaign. Greeted by a confident and well-prepared Iona outfit, our players knew they were in for a strong contest and delivered accordingly.

Captain’s report - Hamish Davidson

A Statement Win to Open the Season

We could not have asked for a better start to the AIC season, with an emphatic victory over one of the powerhouse schools in our competition. Our boys played with determination and grit, particularly in the doubles, where four tightly contested wins proved to be the turning point. Those early victories set the tone for the rest of the day and gave us the edge.

Every player showed the kind of fight and focus we had been working on in preseason. The improvements targeted by Mr Ward and the coaching staff were not only evident — they were executed to near perfection.

The preparation leading into this season has been nothing short of meticulous. The coaches have left no stone unturned, and performances like this show exactly why. This team has been given every opportunity to reach its potential — and with belief, effort, and unity, we are chasing the dream of a premiership not just for ourselves, but for the entire Marist tennis program.

1st IV – Dominant Display

I couldn’t be prouder of how our boys began the season this week.

The areas we had targeted during preseason training were the very aspects that made the difference in the result. The standout for me was the level of communication during the doubles matches. In nearly every point, our pairings operated as one — anticipating, adjusting, and supporting each other seamlessly. That connection turned several tight matches in our favour and laid the platform for our win.

In singles, the boys showed tactical awareness and, importantly, the patience required to grind through challenging moments. These weren’t just wins — they were earned through hard work, discipline, and composure.

What’s most pleasing is that the effort being put in on the training courts — often four sessions per week — is translating directly into match-day performance. It’s a credit to the boys and their commitment to the team and to one another.

Final Score – 1st IV: Marist 7 – Iona 1

Our biggest win over Iona in more than a decade. A brilliant result.

2nd IV – Still Finding Rhythm

Despite a week of intense training, our Seconds were ambushed by a sharp Iona team. While the overall result was a 2-6 loss, the boys showed promising signs, especially as they adjusted to new doubles combinations. There's work to do, but the building blocks are in place.

Year 10 – Two Wins in Tight Matches

Our Year 10B team faced a completely reshuffled Iona side and showed composure throughout the day to claim a 5-3 win. The 10A team mirrored that result with a 5-3 victory of their own. The match of the day belonged to Indy, who pushed Iona’s No. 1 to a thrilling tiebreak in a match that could’ve gone either way.

Year 9 – Bouncing Back

After a rough week previously, the 9A team turned things around with a strong 5-3 win. A great response—well done, boys.

Years 8 and 7 – A Mixed Bag

In Year 8, the A team went down 3-5 while the B team responded with a commanding 8-0 sweep. Year 7 was similarly split, with the A team falling 2-6 and the B team battling to a hard-fought 5-3 win.

Primary Power – Perfect Performance

Our Primary teams continue to lead the way with a clean sweep across all divisions. All four teams (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B) posted dominant 8-0 victories. A massive credit to their dedication in training—this is where the results begin.

Round 1 Results – v Iona College

Overall: 11 Wins – 5 Losses

A solid start to the season, but there’s still plenty of room to improve.

Training Reminder

All players are expected at every scheduled training session unless prior notice of absence has been given. Failure to attend training without notice may result in the loss of your place in the team. That spot may be offered to the next player in line. That player will have to win back selection to their original position through hard work.

Let’s keep working hard and push for an even stronger showing in Round 2!

Reminder

Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 August – Marist Open and Primary Singles Championships | 3:30 – 7:30 PM 

This will include a free sausage sizzle for players entered.

To enter email mcatennis@marash.qld.edu.au

MCA Tennis memberships

Just a quick reminder that these are due for renewal at the end of this term.

Term 3 AIC Training Schedule

All training sessions are compulsory for selected team members and Shadow Squad players. Please arrive on time, prepared and ready to train with intent.

Years 5 and 6

Monday and Wednesday | 6:45 – 8:15 AM

Years 7 and 8

Tuesday | 6:45 – 8:15 AM

Thursday | 3:30 – 5:00 PM

7A and 8A only | Friday 3:30 – 4:30 PM

Years 9 and 10

Tuesday | 3:30 – 5:00 PM

Thursday | 6:45 – 8:15 AM

9A and 10A only | Friday 3:30 – 4:30 PM

Opens (1st–4th Teams)

Monday and Wednesday | 3:30 – 5:00 PM

1st and 2nd Teams | Friday 3:30 – 5:00 PM

Shadow Squad (All Year Levels)

Friday | 6:45 – 8:15 AM

Training for players not yet selected but remaining ready to step in.

Key Dates

Term 3

Monday 14 July – AIC Training Begins (Pupil-Free Day)

Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 August – Marist Open and Primary Singles Championships | 3:30 – 7:30 PM

(Includes sausage sizzle for all players)

Tuesday 16 September – AIC Break-Up Party | 3:30 – 6:00 PM

(A relaxed afternoon with games and friendly rematches)

September Holiday Camp

Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 September | 8:00 – 11:00 AM

Match play, drills, and fun to wrap up the term and prep for Term 4.

Looking Ahead

Term 4

Tuesday 7 October – Coaching resumes (Pupil-Free Day)

Sunday 23 November – Parent–Son Tournament and Christmas Break-Up | 2:00 – 6:00 PM

BBQ from 5:00 PM to celebrate the end of a great year.

Holiday Camps (8:00 – 11:00 AM)

15–17 December

22–24 December

12–14 January

19–21 January

Ideal for players looking to stay sharp and prepare for a strong start to 2026.

2026 Term 1

Monday 2 February – Term 1 coaching begins

Let’s carry the momentum forward, continue building on our culture, and enjoy everything the Marist Tennis program has to offer.

Wilson Merchandise

We’re fully stocked with the latest Wilson racquets, and as always, our members receive the best prices in Brisbane.

From racquets and shoes to strings and accessories, we can order any item from Wilson’s full range.

For enquiries, orders, or bookings:

Phone: 0437 449 523

Email: mcatennis@marash.qld.edu.au

Thank you for your continued support of Marist Tennis. We’re looking forward to a successful, rewarding, and enjoyable season. See you at the court.