Sport
NSWCCC Opens Basketball Championship
O'Connor boys: John Harris, Hunter Booth, Ben Fergusson, Archie O'Connor, Brayden Grieves, Macklin Ross, Gabe Harris, Robert Flint, Sam Cross, Forest Warburton and Alec Campbell competed in the CCC Opens Basketball competition on Monday and Tuesday and were literally playing against giants. The number 15 on each opposing team beat ours by at least a head but Hunter Booth put up a very strong defense regardless. John Harris put in a valiant attempt in the jump ball but could not beat their reach.
In every game, our team matched theirs with skill and enthusiasm, we just lacked size. This morning we took a convincing win but sadly it was not enough to get us into the finals. Next year our team will be a year older and more evenly matched to the opposition - so watch out!
A great time was had by all and the boys showed fantastic sportsmanship. Well done boys and thank you to all of the parents who travelled and assisted to make this happen.
Due to four injuries during Monday's games, Forest was relieved of his refereeing duties to assist and Alec Campbell left the bench to take the court. Gabe Harris and John Harris were the main point scorers for our team and Sam Cross and John Harris were the masters of getting the rebound. Everyone put in a great performance and should be very proud of themselves.
Thank you again to John Harris senior for running the team training and taking time away from work to come along as our coach. Greatly appreciated.
NSW State Hockey Championships
This weekend two students from OCC, Andrew Knight, year 10 and Tyler Riggall, year 7, attended the Under 15’s NSW State Hockey Championships in Wagga Wagga representing Hockey New England. he team was undefeated all weekend becoming the U15’s NSW Division 2 State Champions. The HNE U15’s team was also awarded the HNSW Play the Whistle Award. Former student Jake McCann was the coach.
Dio Soccer Gunnedah
(This excerpt was inspired by true events.)
It seemed like Almighty God Himself had pressed 'pause' on proceedings at the sports fields at Gunnedah. The world stood still in that moment. Except for the ball; goalbound. The keeper was stuck to his spot. A perfect freeze frame moment. The noise of spectators and their boom boxes seemed also to be muted for this moment. The ball hit the net.
Sam Killen had done it, 2 nil to O'Connor, against the auld enemy, McCarthy of Tamworth. The man above pressed 'play'. The world kicked back into life again. There was an explosion of celebration. Euphoria in Gunnedah for the O'Connor contingent in attendance.
O'Connor students screamed with delight. Mrs. Magann sprinted down the sideline, performing a round-off into front-tuck, back handspring tumbling routine; Ms. Clydsdale was overcome with emotion and took into dancing the 'Nutbush'. Mr. Healy felt the energy from afar. Back in the woodwork room in Armidale, he felt an unexplainable sudden burst of joy. Himself and Mr. Kelly linked up arm in arm and danced the Kildownet Half Set around the table saw of the construction room.
The final whistle blew to confirm that O'Connor junior boys would be representing the Armidale Diocese in the next round. A fine finish to the day.
A mighty day had by all in Gunnedah. Our Junior girls picked up an encouraging win over St. Philomena's of Moree, but unfortunately went down to a decent St. Mary's Gunnedah outfit. In our morning match we came up against a very talented McCarthy Tamworth Junior girls team who proved too strong.
Our Senior girls were through to the next round by default, being the only Senior girls team in attendance. They competed against Junior teams from other schools, showed great sportsmanship in their matches, scoring plenty of goals. More importantly, they were there as great role models for our junior girls to look up to.
The O'Connor Senior boys sent out a very strong team and performed well. They showed great skill and had some lovely passing moves. Unfortunately, we met a very impressive McCarthy team with some Northern Premier League rep players, whose presence made the difference. We lost 3-1.
Our junior boys won their first game comfortably against an understrength St. Philomena's side. We had a hard fought victory over St. Mary's Gunnedah in the second match. The match against McCarthy was the decider. Our boys were thrilled to finish up 2 nil victors.
Massive thanks to Felicity and Camilla for all of their organisation today. Huge thanks to Amber for all of her organisation prior to the event. Noble call to Jimmy for all his work with the soccer at the school. To our admin staff for facilitating, our leadership team for letting us partake in this event. Most of all, thanks to our 47 students who took part; for being great fun and showing such fantastic commitment to representing the college, being ready and waiting at the front gates at 6.30am on a cold, dark, frosty morning.
