Boys' Firsts 

Nate Jenkins, Year 12, Ridgeway Campus

Captain of Boys' Firsts Volleyball  

After completing a dominant season, where we only dropped two sets out of 8 games, the boys swept Mentone in the Grand Final to bring home the trophy, resulting in an undefeated season. Ivanhoe was simply too strong for the rest of the competition, which is a credit to the unrivalled work ethic displayed in this team. The end of the 2025 season marks the end of Ivanhoe volleyball for eight Year 12s, most of whom have been involved in the program for multiple years. It was great to see both the team and individuals show growth continually up to the Grand Final, where the boys played the best game of their season. The future looks bright for the guys, with players like Sacha, Brian, Jeremy and Benji looking to take control of the team over the next couple of years and hopefully bring Ivanhoe a back-to-back premiership. The volleyball 2025 season was truly an unforgettable experience for every player involved and we feel so proud to bring Ivanhoe some silverware. I’d like to give a big thank you for all the support we received in our Grand Final, we appreciate everyone making our last game special! 

Nicholas Perrone, Year 12,  Ridgeway Campus 

Captain of Table Tennis Boys' Firsts 

Summer sport was a very rewarding experience for me this year. This was the first time I had been put in a leadership role, as the Table Tennis Captain, so I was not really sure what to do or how I should act. That being said, my concerns were quickly proven unfounded. I have always had a steadfast passion for table tennis, and it became clear to me after our first training season, that my teammates had that same drive. 

Overall, the team came up short this season. We had some tough competition, but the difficult matches were some of our most valuable experiences. It fueled our growth and clearly demonstrated to each other our shared passion for table tennis. These matches drew the team closer together. After all, likeminded people are easier to hit it off with, making summer sport a much more enjoyable experience for everyone. 

When you constantly put all your effort and energy into improvement and find you’re still coming up a bit short performance wise, it takes real commitment and passion to keep fighting on. I can say with confidence, that every single member of the team has committed to constant improvement. The Summer Sport season might have ended, but the team is still raring to go. They have been pushing for extra training, which will make an ideal lead into the following season of Table Tennis. Next season will be something to watch out for! 

Zachary Veneziano, Year 12,  Ridgeway Campus 

Captain of Basketball Boys' Firsts 

Captaining the Firsts’ Basketball team this season has been an amazing experience. The squad of 16 faced both highs and lows, showing the team's willingness to put egos aside and play together. The energy and support everyone brings to training and games is something I’ll never forget. From Coach Pete to Erik and Mr. Van Beek, everyone has supported us and kept us in line when needed. The Ivy Army showing up at home games has made it a rollercoaster season for our squad. Having 10 new players in the squad was a lot more than in previous years, but due credit to the boys, we all created a great culture and an enjoyable environment to be immersed in.  Throughout the year, we had to deal with injuries to key players but as a collective, we knew we had to have the "next man up" mentality. We finished the season just shy of the grand final, Yarra Valley Grammar taking the win by 3 points in the semi. Overall, captaining this group is something I will cherish for the rest of my life and will never forget.