Sport News
Mr Derek Lennon
Sport News
Mr Derek Lennon
Last weekend saw Marist take on Villanova College and St Edmund’s College in a final hit-out before the AIC season commences in earnest this week. Thank you to all staff, boys and parents for making the effort to get these matches played. No doubt our teams will be better for the run.
This weekend sees us travel to Iona in what will be a challenging start for all of our sports. Iona have been on a steady improvement across their sports program and we will need to be at our best to get the results we are after.
Thank you to everyone for being proactive in accessing the information over the last few weeks. The start of the school year, along with sport starting so quickly is always challenging, adding a new process for communication adds a layer of complexity. To make sure everyone received the information for the trial round we emailed as well as used notifications. From this week we will not be emailing parents, you will receive notifications of posts for sport. Boys will still receive the emails as notifications work differently for them.
We release the draw on Tuesday afternoons and the team lists on Fridays. If your son is registered to play a sport and you do not receive these notifications please contact computerservice@marash.qld.edu.au and IT will investigate the problem for you. Please note you will not see historic notifications, only posts from when the registration was processed.
Communication
If you have questions about sport or the app please contact the relevant people:
TASS Orbit app: computerservice@marash.qld.edu.au
AFL: Corey Robinson robinsonco@marash.qld.edu.au
Volleyball: Patrick Denkes denkesp@marash.qld.edu.au
Cricket: Derek Lennon lennond@marash.qld.edu.au
Opens Derek Lennon lennond@marash.qld.edu.au
Year 10: Troy Mee troyamee72@gmail.com
Year 9: Matt Millward millwardm@marash.qld.edu.au
Year 8: Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh kolkenbeckruhg@marash.qld.edu.au
Year 7: Matt Millward millwardm@marash.qld.edu.au
Primary: John Lambourne lambournej@marash.qld.edu.au
One area that I wish to highlight, which has been improving, but has much work still to do, is boys missing training, and worse, missing matches. The expectation of the College is that if you have committed to playing a sport it takes priority over everything else. This includes club sport, weekends away, staying at mates houses and so on. Similar to the uniform expectations, it is a valuable life lesson to honour a commitment when sometimes there are better options. Obviously, from time to time there are extenuating circumstances that do mean boys will have to miss matches and we understand these. In this case notice should be given to the coach, the year coordinator and the sport coordinator as soon as possible explaining the absence and the reason why.
On a similar vein with training, we do have attendance issues with training. A commitment is a commitment and players need to respect the sport and their teammates by being at training unless an emergency or illness gets in the way.
Any requests to miss matches or training must be approved by the relevant sport co-ordinator (or year co-ordinator in larger sports).
Injured players are expected to attend training unless contagious with an illness.
Start times for training are just that - not arrival times. If training starts at 3:30pm that means you are on the field with all equipment needed on ready to go, not just arriving.
Training is work time not social time. To play at your best you need to train at your best. Attitude is vital here.
All players must have the appropriate equipment for sport, such as shin pads for football, mouthguards for rugby, rugby league and AFL.
Each boy must bring their own full water bottle with them for all training sessions and matches. Team managers will encourage the boys to drink water but ultimately players are responsible for their hydration.
All players are to shake hands/fist bump with their opponents at the completion of the match. This is to occur before any War Cry or team celebrations occur.
COMMITMENT - We sacrifice whatever is necessary to be the best we can be. Specifically, that relates to attitude to training, taking care of the small details in a professional manner, working hard and giving his best in everything we do. Coaches should educate the players in these areas, as it could be the ultimate difference. We have a low tolerance for a player who does not want to better himself both academically and as a footballer.
WORK HARD - We value hard work. Without question, we demand a big effort from our players in everything they do. We apologise to no one for wanting to be the best. Working hard is the only way to achieve this goal.
LOYALTY - loyalty to each other; loyalty to the College.
DISCIPLINE - discipline to work hard; act with integrity; to accept disappointment.
SACRIFICE - in order to get, first you must give.
HONESTY - open and honest communication gives us the edge. We tell the truth so we can soar as the journey unfolds.
GOOD HABITS - we are creatures of habit. Therefore the habits we form must be helpful.
I thought it was important to highlight the nature of the AIC competition, what it stands for, how it is organised and how that impacts, positively and negatively on us as a college.
The AIC (Associated Independent Colleges) grew from the TAS competition, starting in 1999. Next year is the 25th year of AIC competition which will see some promotion and activity around this.
MOTTO
Learning and growth through sport and competition.
VISION
To develop good and healthy young people of character through sport and competition within a Christian context.
MISSION
The AIC will provide well-organised competitions in sports and other activities that foster participant engagement and pride in communities in a holistic Christian context. Our students, staff and families (both past and present) will nurture spiritual, moral, emotional, intellectual, physical and social development through respectful and compassionate relationships in a safe environment.
The member schools are:
* Ambrose Treacy College is a guest member, participating in championship sports and byes in weekly competitions as suitable.
The sports involved include:
Term 1 Cricket, AFL#, Volleyball#, Swimming
Term 2 Football, Rugby, Chess#, Cross Country#, Golf#
Term 3 Rugby League#, Basketball#, Tennis#
Term 4 Track & Field, Water Polo#, Touch*, E-Sports#*
*non-championship, carnival or trial
The obvious benefits to our college are an organised, fully developed program of sports and activities competing against like schools where we can provide opportunities for boys to develop, shine, learn and grow as young men. It has served us well over 25 years and will continue to do so into the future. It does present some challenges for us as well. The biggest challenge is the differing sizes of the schools involved, which leads to inequity in team numbers. I have highlighted to sports that have limited team entries.
As one of the biggest schools in the AIC and with a healthy boarding community as well as a day population who value sport as a community, this is a significant challenge for us. It is a firm belief of the college that we want boys playing sport, we will cater for every boy who wants to play in sports that we have the opportunity to play and we will always try and find suitable opposition for every team we have. What does not work is putting our C, D and E teams up against A and B teams from schools outside the AIC competition. We understand the frustration boys and parents feel when byes or internal matches happen, but Marist puts forward by far the largest number of teams across the program.
AIC Premierships and Aggregates
The AIC competition recognises a range of results and it is not just the first teams that are recognised. Yes our premier team in each sport is playing for the premiership but in all sports Year 7 to 12 A teams are playing for their own premierships and in some sports B teams are also seeking premiership success. One of the great things about the AIC is the aggregate premiership, which counts all results in A and B teams from Years 7-12. This means all matches in these divisions and year levels count towards the overall result.
In the championship sports, all competitors results count towards the overall championship (cross country count the top six runners but all runners play a role) result, with primary and secondary having separate trophies.
AIC Code of Conduct
Below is the AIC Code of Conduct for all players, coaches, officials and spectators. Please take the time to have a read to refresh yourself on the expectations of being involved in the AIC community, an environment that must be safe, inclusive and friendly and competition that should be spirited but friendly.
Cricket
Congratulations to Cameron Cleary, Sam Mellifont and Lachlan Widt, who all made U12 development, (Blue) sides competing in the Ian Healy Cup, played 6-10 January. The Ian Healy Cup is a cricket carnival named after former Australian cricketer Ian Healy. The cup is held annually and features junior cricket teams.
District Trials / Met North Sport- Secondary School
Where boys are interested in trialling for the district or Met North sports, parents are to email Derek Lennon at lennond@marash.qld.edu.au before the due date. We will send the QR code link to you to register directly with the district to attend the trial. Please note the deadline on the QR code form. Late enrolments are generally not accepted. This is out of the control of the school.
Players must be playing at A level in their year level/age group or if not a Marist sport be playing at the highest club, or representative level.
Term 1
Sport | Age Group | Nomination Deadline |
Water Polo | 13-19yrs | 6/2/25 |
Football (soccer) | 13-15yrs | 11/2/25 |
Football (soccer) | 16-19yrs | 11/2/25 |
Volleyball | 13-15yrs | 14/2/25 |
Hockey | 13-15yrs | 19/2/25 |
Hockey | 16-19yrs | 19/2/25 |
Squash | 10-19yrs | 13/3/25 |
Touch | 13-15yrs | 11/3/25 |
Basketball | 17-19yrs | 18/2/25 |
Basketball | 13-16yrs | 18/2/25 |
Golf | 10-19yrs | 24/2/25 |
Rugby League | 14-15yrs | 11/2/25 |
Rugby League | 16-18yrs | 11/2/25 |
AFL | 13-15yrs | 18/2/25 |
Rugby Union | 17-18yrs | 27/2/25 |
Rugby Union | 14-15yrs | 1/5/25 |
Volleyball | 16-19yrs | 6/5/25 |
Baseball | 12-14yrs | 10/6/25 |
Futsal | 13-14yrs | 24/7/25 |
Futsal | 15-16yrs | 24/7/25 |
Cricket | 13-14yrs | 19/8/25 |
Mr Derek Lennon - Coordinator
Last weekend we faced Villanova in the official AIC trial. It was great to see our boys get a full hit out before the season starts. The coaches got to see the boys in action, finalise selections and work out areas to focus in training in the coming weeks.
Thanks to everyone for your patience as we work through final selections. A three-day along with the normal back-to-school pressures challenged us all but we made good progress and are ready now for a tough challenge against Iona College.
Marist College Ashgrove Cricket History
Marist College Ashgrove has a long and distinguished history in schoolboy cricket in Queensland. In the 26 seasons of the AIC (Associated
Independent Colleges), Marist has won the 1st XI premiership 10 times, the last in 2023.
AIC 1st XI Premierships
2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023
AIC Aggregate Premierships
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
Marist Cricket Carnival
Marist College participates in the annual national Marist Cricket Carnival, a five-day competition featuring Marist schools from across Australia.
Marist has won the national championship seven times. Marist National Champion: 1987, 1992, 1994, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2023
Marist Representatives
The College has played a part in the development of a number of prominent Old Boys who have gone on to play the game at senior representative level.
Last Thursday our 1st XI side took on an Old Boys XI on McMahon Oval as a part of our season preparation. It was great to see so many of our past players on McMahon one more time. Most of the team had have played at mens third grade or higher. The 1st XI acquitted themselves very well against such a quality outfit, bowling well to restrict the Old Boys and some good batting kept the boys in it until the final overs. Thank you to Mr Tom Gibson for organising the Old Boys and Ms Antonia Svensson for organising the day overall.
Playing
All players must be in correct Marist whites from this week. Items are available from the Uniform Shop. We have introduced a “floppy” white Marist cricket hat. This is not compulsory but if boys want to wear a floppy over the blue sports cap, it must be the Marist one.
Training
All players must be in the correct training apparel. It has been great to see the vast majority of boys embracing this and wear the training kit. It looks terrific at training seeing the boys all working hard in uniformity.
There are a number of reasons for this:
In the first instance where boys are in the wrong item coaches will remind the boy about this expectation. The second time it happens he will not be able to train with the team.
Below is the development program we have developed for cricket. This will guide our decision making and priorities for development. This has been developed by experienced school cricket staff who understand the complexities and intricacies of developing cricketers in a school setting. This will be a valuable tool for our coaching staff to guide their planning and preparation and will give us greater continuity across our teams, meeting the needs of our boys at all levels of cricket.
For a number of years now the association has utilised the PlayHQ platform. In 2025 the AIC, working with Queensland Cricket, has implemented PlayHQ platform for scoring the Years 7-10 A games and 2nd XI in addition to the 1st XI. The trial for this year will determine if it is sustainable and worth the work involved. So far, from the weekend the feedback has been very positive. Thank you to the families who were able to set up the player profile or link the existing profile to Marist. Attached is a scoring guide to assist parents who volunteer to score matches.
Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field
Marist Rugby Union | Sign On
Please go to Parent Orbit and see information regarding sign-on. All students who wish to play Term 2 sports 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.
Marist Rugby Preseason | Years 10, 11 and 12
Please see information for Weeks 1, 2 and 3 Term 1 preseason rugby union training in the Parent Orbit. Year 10 students will be offered an opportunity to begin preseason training in Week 3. The dress code for ALL sessions is Blue MCA shirt, Marist blue sports shorts, and white / blue / Marist rugby socks (see @marist_ashgrove_rugby on Instagram).
All sessions will take place on Des Connor Park, Field 5.
The Blue Squad will be announced on Thursday 13 February.
NOTE – if you have a commitment to a Term 1 sport, that is your priority.
Marist Rugby Union | Opportunities
The Marist rugby union program continues to provide opportunities for students, both on and off the field. Last season, we welcomed 11 new student referees to our dedicated group of volunteers, and in 2025, we will again offer this opportunity to anyone interested in becoming a referee.
For students unable to play but still wanting to be involved, roles within the program are available. This year, Year 12 student Evan Smith will join the 1st XV as an Assistant Team Manager. We look forward to supporting Evan in his role and encouraging others to get involved!
Rugby Ready Program | Year 5-12
Starting in Week 5 (Monday 24 February), Marist College is delivering a mandatory 4-week Rugby Ready Program across all age groups leading into the rugby union trials. The Rugby Ready Program involves a host of measures such as physical preparation, skill development, correct and safe techniques preparing the players for contact, enforcement of game laws, and management of safety issues such as the Scrum Passport and the “MAYDAY” call. Whilst there are a number of reasons for providing such a program, a key driver is wanting to deliver to all students a safe, challenging and enjoyable rugby union program. In order to develop the Marist College rugby players, we must give them the skills to approach the game with confidence and minimise the chance of injury. Please see documents on the Parent Orbit for all information including the program content, schedule and dress code.
You will note the Opens have been allocated two options each week, however, they only need attend one.
AIC Championship swimmers are not required to attend Rugby Ready until the completion of the AIC swim meet on March 7. Extra sessions will be made available to assist so everyone completes their four sessions prior to the trials.
NOTE - The program involves four stages (1 session per week) and all players will be required to complete in order to play rugby this season.
Marist Rugby Union – Social Media
In 2024 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.
Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby/Track and Field
Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field
Sunday Sessions
For all students wanting to begin their Track and Field training, Mr Rob Martin will continue to run his usual Sunday sessions. The focus at this early stage is Sprints / Hurdles / Throws / Jump plyometrics. Please see below details -
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
National School Challenge - December 2024
During the second week in December 2024, two track and field squads from Marist College Ashgrove took on the very best schools from around Australia at the National Schools Challenge in Brisbane. With Track and Field often an individual sport, this meet allows Marist athletes to compete as a team where our boys definitely operate at their best showing commitment to each other and their collective goal taking it to a higher national level after their success at AIC and State Championships.
This was by far the biggest Schools Challenge event since the COVID-19 period and many of the schools attending this athletic meet were littered with National medalists and state representatives who were also in QLD for the National All Schools Track and Field championships that occurred over the three days prior.
Marist had qualified with an Intermediate and Junior team with the following results:
** Junior Team: Our junior team performed brilliantly against some strong opposition and were only 5 points out of the medals in 4th place in a close competition. Hayden Lockhart had a stand out performance winning the 100m in a 2025 national championship qualifying time and 2nd in the 200m race giving us great points. Ben Flanagan was another standout who timed his race to perfection in a fast 2m04.67 setting a new school record in 2nd place overall with Darcy Frazier also showing great distinction in running a solid time for the team in the 800m final. Sania Elisala after a long journey to Brisbane worked hard to leap to 5.55m for 4th overall in the long jump and also competed well in the 100m. Remi Sakzewski threw a big personal best in the javelin after training regularly past the AIC season for 3rd against much older competition with a heavier javelin for his age – an excellent effort. In the shot put Judson Gay had some good throws competing in this high level competition where everyone was within a metre of each other from 2nd to 8th. The relay team closed out well in 4th place and while a mere 1-2 higher placings would have seen the team on the podium, they had a great day out and should be proud of their performances against schools who assemble entire teams full of scholarships with state and national representatives. Well done.
** Intermediate Team: Our intermediate team had very tough competition against local GPS Champion schools Ipswich Grammar and Nudgee plus powerhouse track schools from interstate including Trinity and Knox Grammar in a deep competition. With one to two of our regular sprinters unavailable on holidays and several injuries on the day they still managed a credible 6th overall. Lyndon Maynard led the team out with a 4th place in high jump and an excellent 2nd placing in the long jump where he was determined to keep the team in the hunt. Connor Campbell showed commitment having to move from the 400m into an extra 200m sprint plus the relay to make it a full day of running after finishing 4th nationally in the 200m hurdles only two days before. Ben Hawley was brave nursing a knee injury running a solid 200m sprint and backing up in the relay. Riley Hansel was also a warrior for the team pushing through in the short sprints and representing Marist with distinction despite also suffering a leg injury in the 200m. Our throwers Jonathan Kirk in shot(15.67m) and Aiden O’Reilly in javelin (43.26m) had some very good throws and were both 4th in very competitive fields keeping the team in the hunt for a Top 3 placing. While our middle distance runners performed brilliantly with Zac Milligan 2nd overall and Harry Prole 6th overall in a group of twenty 800m runners, both with sub two-minute times, keeping our points high. With the injury toll mounting, we had to totally change the relay team order and despite a fantastic effort, running injured against these national level representatives was too large a gap late in the day and the boys finished a valiant 6th placed squad overall.
The Marist squads performed with great distinction being one of the best organised at the QLD Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) despite many of our opposing teams having flown in medical staff and specialist coaches from around Australia. However Marist used the collective might of our wonderful volunteer coaches, sports admin team and families to get our teams to the start line for this event.
Marist was fortunate to have great coaches and support staff including Mr Brendan Saunders, Mr Bill Prole(old boy), Mr Lee Martin (Old Boy), Mr Tom Prole (Old Boy), Mr Joel Drew (Old Boy), Mr James Prole (OId Boy). We also had external coaches including our specialist coaches Mr Eric Brown, Mr Des Davis and Mr Tim Castley providing support.
The Marist sports team was also active with Mr Matt Millward, Mr Corey Robinson providing excellent support both prior and on competition day to keep the team fueled as well as managing many of the logistical and managerial activities to keep the Marist teams working. Their work behind the scenes should not be undervalued in all sports they are involved with – thank you. And finally to Mr Richard Graham who helped leading up to the day in arranging the logistics to work with head coach Mr Robin Martin on assembling the teams, ensuring the athletes were ready to attend and helping with the regular communication and solving logistical challenges.
A special thanks also to our boarding team members Jonathan Kirk and Sania Elisala who either stayed two weeks longer after school finished or made the journey back to compete in this National competition – a great commitment. And we should not forget the many wonderful Ashgrove families who provided a temporary home for the Marist boys to stay at over those two weeks after school finished and went above and beyond. Thank you!! Plus also to our training reserve Guy De Putron who was ready to run in either Junior or Intermediate division. Guy’s unwavering commitment to the team and the sprint program is admirable and he will continue to develop through 2025.
A 4th and 6th place against the best track and field schools in Australia is a great achievement and Marist looks forward to seeing if we can qualify in 2025. Well done to both squads.
New School Record
As mentioned Ben Flanagan had a brilliant 800m run at the National Schools Challenge setting a new school record
New Record: Ben Flanagan 800m (14 years) 2m04.67
Old Record: Zac Milligan 2m05.15.
Well done to both athletes.
TRACK AND FIELD PATHWAYS - Marist Track and Field remains strong with committed teams like this National Schools Challenge squads training beyond the AIC season to test themselves against the best athletes in Australia. Many of these athletes will continue going into the QLD Athletics Club and Little Athletics pathway. If any Marist College athletes would like to explore pathway opportunities further then please see Mr Richard Graham or Mr Rob Martin.
Mr James Boyce - Director of Swimming
Well, done to all the swimmers who competed last Friday afternoon at Centenary!
Upcoming Competition at St Peter’s Lutheran College
This week's competition will be held at St Peter’s Lutheran College. To assist with coordinating buses and logistics, please complete the form linked below if your son wishes to participate:
https://forms.gle/VTwpUtabS9i2Ym4QA
Swimmers are expected to travel by bus to the venue. If you plan to pick up your son from St Peter’s, please indicate this on the form. The form will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 February.
To be considered for the final AIC Swimming Team, swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend Friday Night Prep Meets. If your son is unable to attend, please notify Damian or me directly.
AIC Prep Meets and Relay Training
AIC Prep Meets are held every Friday night and are compulsory for boys wishing to be considered for the final team which will be announced on Monday 3 March.
Additionally, the first AIC Relay Training Session will take place on Friday morning, 7 February. Attendance is compulsory for athletes in the Top 10, and breakfast will be provided.
Training Squad Information
Our training squads cater to boys swimming for fitness and those aiming to secure a place on the AIC Swimming Team.
While joining the AIC Swimming Team is optional, we strongly encourage participation in the Friday afternoon Prep Meets. These meets provide valuable opportunities to track progress and test training strategies in a fun, competitive environment.
If you're unsure whether your son should compete, please feel free to speak with Damian or me before or after squad sessions.
Met North Swimming Trials
Swimmers intending to participate in the Met North Trials are asked to complete the form below: https://forms.gle/Xeb7WWadRzVtsBtcA
Please note that this year’s trials will take place on Monday 10 March, just one day before the AIC Swimming Championships. Additionally, the event will be held at Lawnton Aquatic Centre, not Chandler as in previous years.
Recent Results:
Over the weekend of 25-26 January, a large group of boys competed in the Brisbane Sprint Championships at Chandler. Despite coming off a gruelling three-day swim camp that concluded just the day before, they delivered some outstanding performances. Below are the athletes who achieved Top 10 results:
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jade, Damian, or me at swim@marash.qld.edu.au.
Mr Andrew Ward - Director of Tennis
Welcome back to 2025 and the start of what I hope is a promising year for us coaches and as a club. Our AIC program will commence again at the end of this term for all who think they have what it takes to make the 1st or 2nd teams. As we are all seeing that preparing for each new campaign to win a 1sts title comes with hard work, commitment and a willingness to try new things to develop and enhance what type of game style each student has in their repertoire.
We will soon be publishing a tennis calendar so all can see what is coming up and be prepared for.
Coaching 2025
As anticipated, we have a busy schedule again to start the year. There are still a few positions left in our squad programs for any last-minute bookings. All classes have returned to normal this week, and this is Week 1 of the coaching term of 8. A reminder that all students enrolled in our squad program receive a private lesson each week on top of the squad sessions.
For any bookings, please contact Jade or me at mcatennis@marash.qld.edu.au or you can call me on 0437 449 523 which is the everything tennis hotline.
Brisbane and Super League Return
Great to see Marist represented again this season with 5 teams playing on a Saturday to improve their tennis and get that much-needed match play under their belts.
Marist teams played strongly in the first round played last Saturday. Well done team and lets keep turning up each week with a positive mindset and a willingness to give our best each week.
Farewell
Thank you to Knot who has unfortunately left our coaching staff as he pursues full-time work with his chosen university degree. We all wish him the best of luck in his journey to find security in his work life. We are all grateful for the short time he has been with us. Thank you again.
Wilson Gear
We have all the latest Wilson gear at our disposal and all members will be entitled to discounts across the whole range of Wilson gear.
Thank you and all the best as we all navigate our start to Term 1 2025.