Sport News

Mr Derek Lennon

It has been a wild week in Brisbane with sport cancelled last weekend and uncertainty going forward. The college facilities have survived better than expected but we do face some challenges. Each sport will have different problems this week so please keep an eye out for updates through Parent Lounge/Orbit App for parents and emails for students.

The AIC are planning to let schools determine case-by-case what we are able to do this coming weekend. The draw will likely be delayed as we work through our facilities and communicate with Villanova and supplementary fixtures around their facilities before we can confirm fixtures. Our intention is to avoid multiple changing notices while recognising families need to know what is going on for planning.

Some activities will recommence training tomorrow (Wednesday) but others will be delayed beyond tomorrow and into Thursday or Friday. The fields are draining well but we received a significant volume of water over the last four days and we need sunshine and wind to help dry them out before we can use them. There are some sports facility issues from the storm as well we are working through.

The AIC swimming championships, scheduled for Tuesday 11 March have been postponed to Friday 21 March. This will be a twilight carnival starting at 4:00pm at Chandler. Parent spectators who have signed up through Eventbrite do not need to do anything, your eticket should update. We will be taking student spectators to this event. A sign-up for Year 12s will come out later this week for those who want to attend and support our team.

To summarise, training and fixtures this week will be a case by case, we are hopeful of a full round but realistic around conditions of fields and facilities- keep an eye on emails and the app notifications.

AIC Expectations

Code of Behaviour - Parents and Spectators

Fundamental to the AIC, is our belief in inclusion and fellowship. This means that as a parent, or a spectator you are welcoming to everyone and treat them with the greatest levels of respect, protecting the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability/disability, sexual orientation, cultural background, or religion.

As a parent/guardian of a student who will be representing their college and playing under the auspices of AIC, you play an important role in upholding the values of the AIC and the College that your son attends.

Parents and spectators need to demonstrate the following behaviours regarding their conduct during any AIC sporting activity:

Be welcoming of other competitors and spectators and always model respectful interactions.

Respect referees and officials' decisions and teach your son to do likewise.
Remember that your son participates in sport for their own enjoyment.
Remember that this is a schoolboy game and all coaches and match officials are volunteers.
Show appreciation for the coaches and teachers - including the opposing team. Without them, your son could not participate.
Encourage your son to participate, do not force them. Focus on your son's efforts rather than his performance or the result of the game.
Remember that all correspondence around sport should be respectful and appropriate and directly through your son's College.
Never ridicule or yell at your son and other boys for making a mistake.
Be a positive role model. Remember that boys learn best by example. Appreciate good performance and skilful play by all participants.
AIC events are not an appropriate space/venue for matters involving family disputes. This includes ensuring all parties follow appropriate court orders around visitation and attendance at activities.

The AIC supports all efforts to remove poor behaviour from sporting events. In the event that a parent feels the need to notify the AIC of inappropriate behaviour, they should first notify the venue official/College representative at the venue. Following this, any complaint should then be directed to their son's College's Head of Sport or the appropriate member of the College Leadership Team.

Rugby Union

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 delivering the necessary resources.

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

Rugby Ready Program | Year 5-12

As previously communicated, the Rugby Ready Program has been instrumental in ensuring a safe and structured start to the AIC rugby season.

Due to ongoing weather disruptions and uncertainty around returning to the field, I am reviewing the number of sessions required from both a safety and practical perspective. Additionally, I am working with our coaches to adjust plans for the pre-trial sessions in Week 9.

At the end of Week 6, three year levels were on track, while others were one session behind. AIC swimmers were also scheduled to begin their sessions on Wednesday following the AIC Championships.

With continued rainfall and an uncertain forecast, all sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday are cancelled. I will provide updates via email as soon as more information becomes available.

Please rest assured that no student who wishes to play rugby in Term 2 will be excluded, provided they make every effort to attend the sessions available to them.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.

Thanks to the coaches for volunteering their time and expertise to the program. Marist is fortunate to have many staff, old boys and current students contributing to the rugby program. We appreciate all that they do in creating a safe and challenging rugby environment.

WET WEATHER – Training will very rarely be cancelled due to wet weather. However, in the event of rain, I ask that all students be dropped off at Des Connor Field, Flat 5. To protect computers and formal hats, please ensure all gear is placed under cover around the canteen or in the shed upon arrival.

Rugby Union Trials

Please make sure you see the Rugby Union Key Dates Calendar in the Parent Orbit for all games throughout the season.

Following the conclusion of the Rugby Ready Program at the end of Week 8, the boys will start to prepare in their Year levels for the full school internal trial on Saturday 29 March (end of Week 9). This day also serves as the Rosalie Tribute Round.

For those interested in watching the early season 1st XV and 2nd XV trials, the games are as follows –

What: Internal 1st XV trial

When: Sunday 16 March

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Where: Everton Park Roosters Rugby Union Club (Hurdcotte Street).

What: 1st XV vs Downlands / 2nd XV vs Downlands

When: Sunday 23 March

Time: 10:30am – 2nd XV kick off / 11:30am 1st XV kick off

Where: Downlands College, Toowoomba

Marist Rugby Union | Rugby Referee Program Delivered Online

While schools were closed and students were sheltering from Tropical Cyclone Alfred at home, the Rugby Union Referee Course carried on uninterrupted, thanks to a dedicated group of Marist College Ashgrove and Mt St Michael’s students and parents.

On Friday, participants logged in remotely to continue their training, demonstrating their commitment to developing their officiating skills. A special thank you to QRU Match Official Development Officer, Daniel Mangin, for making himself available to deliver Week 2 of the course and ensuring the program stayed on track.

Well done to all involved for their dedication to the game and their ongoing development as referees!

Through participating in the program, the attendees will become accredited to officiate junior rugby and have the best seat in the house.

Students who complete the course and become a referee are able to earn $25-$40 per game.

Marist Rugby Preseason | Years 10, 11 and 12

Please see information for Weeks 6-7, Term 1 preseason rugby union training in the Parent Orbit.

The Blue Squad (Year 11-12) was announced at the end of Week 3 and will continue to prepare for the upcoming camp and trials.

Training will continue for all students who missed selection. Along with the Rugby Ready Program, both the Gold Squad (Year 11-12) and the Year 10 cohort will be provided further opportunities to train in preparation for the season.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.

NOTE – if you have a commitment to a Term 1 sport, that is your priority.

Marist Rugby Union | Camps and Tours

After a hiatus since COVID, the Marist Rugby Union program is excited to reintroduce a range of camps and tours in 2025, providing students with valuable experiences in regional rugby environments. These opportunities are designed to enhance player development, strengthen team culture, build independence and prepare squads for the upcoming season.

The following initiatives are locked in for 2025 -

Northern New South Wales Tour

1st XV and 2nd XV squad (approximately 36 students)

Games in Lennox Head and Armidale

Friday 4 – Wednesday 9 April

The Armidale School Rugby Carnival

U12 team (for logistical reasons, the squad and reserves were selected in Term 4, 2024)

Friday 11 – Sunday 13 April

Looking ahead, we aim to further expand these opportunities to include more students within our rugby union program, ensuring a broad and inclusive pathway for all aspiring players.

Marist Rugby Union – Social Media

@marist_ashgrove_rugby

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.

Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Sunday Sessions

NOTE - Due to the 2025 QLD State Track and Field Championships being held this weekend, there will be no Sunday session (Sunday 16 March). Sessions will resume the following weekend.

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: 3:15pm-4:45pm

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

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.

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 – 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.

Football

Mr Blair Whitlock – Football Coordinator

6A, 9A and 2nd XI Postponed Trials

We are waiting to see how the fields recover before rescheduling these trials. Communication will be sent once this becomes clear.

7A, 8A and 10A Squad Lists

These squad lists will be posted in the Parent Orbit app this evening.

Football Trials

Trials for Year 5 and all non-A team players will take place during Weeks 9 and 10 once Term 1 sport has concluded. Each year group will have three trials to ensure all Footballers have several opportunities to trial and team selections are as accurate as possible. Specific dates and timings will be posted in the Parent Orbit app in the coming days.

AIC Football Referee Course

Football Queensland is running an AIC Referee Course during the first week of the Term 1 holiday for anyone interested in starting their journey as a referee. It is a great way to get involved and enhance your knowledge of the game. See the flyer attached for details on how to register.

AIC Referee Course Flyer.jpeg

Marist Football | Sign On

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

NOTE – If your son is not registered, you will NOT receive any information via the Parent Orbit regarding the Football program, including schedules and relevant information.