EXCEL Sports Program

Year 9 Excel Sports

On Friday 30th August our Year 9 Excel sport students ventured to Fawkner Park, South Yarra to compete in the State Lacrosse Championships.

It was a glorious day to be out playing sport and our students once again displayed all of the college values whilst competing.

The boys made it to the Semi Final where they were beaten in a golden goal shoot out after a 1 all draw at the end of regular time. Best players for the day: Mason Torrance, Zach Fairhall, Lachlan Osborne. Goal scorers: Brodie Edwards, Brodie Atkins. Full credit goes to all of the boys for their efforts.

The girls, after some close matches ended the day in 2nd place. Once again the girls fought hard and displayed exceptional teamwork and dedication to the day. Best players on the day: Rhys McKenna, Sami Scheffer, Shekinah Upkett, Kasey Smith and Piper Isles.

Congratulations on a wonderful day

Mr Simon Andriessen  &  Mrs Lyndall Ford

Handball Champions

A group of 20 students from the PRSC EXCEL Sports program readied themselves under the guise of Supercoach Mr Cashmore for the 2019 Handball School Championships. We travelled down to Springers to take on the Handball heavyweights of the State with pressure mounting on the back of high expectations from esteemed program leader Ms Allan. Having experienced the State Championships back in 2017, the same groups were back to the court with something to prove.

It was a nervous wait for both boys and girls teams as the grading games saw both teams lose a game by just 1 goal. After a countback system, both teams were glad to see their names in lights as we proceeded to the semi-finals looking to lift our games. The boys had a tough encounter with John Paul College and they put up a hell of fight and although some dubious calls were made, the better team won and we were relegated to the playoff for 3rd. We faced another tough encounter against Footscray and with crowd support mounting for both teams, the emotions were being felt. After a tightly fought battle, the boys came out victorious and took Bronze!

The girls faced off against Blackburn High’s second team (after losing to Blackburn first team by one) for a place in the Big Dance. Well…didn’t they bring out the big guns! A convincing victory that was ominous to say the least gave the girls the opportunity for Gold against arch rivals Blackburn High team 1. In a thrilling display of teamwork, skill and bravery and a game played in great spirits, the girls came out on top to lift the trophy and win the championship!

Congratulations to both teams and the students involved. It was a fantastic day that showcased the amazing opportunities our Excel Program is providing for our students and the wonderful work that Ms Allan and Mr Andriesson of late have put into the program for such fantastic outcomes!

Mr Jay Cashmore

Year 8 Excel Sports State Lacrosse Champions

It was my absolute honour to take out a portion of our Year 8 EXCEL Sport Class to the State Lacrosse Championships.  It was my first experience with this group and they didn’t disappoint in their effort, determination and attitude to developing their skill throughout the day.

Competing against Ashwood, Williamstown and Emmanuel Colleges, the boys came up against some quality opposition.  They were very accepting of my very vocal coaching suggestions and were happy to put these into play.  The boys drew against Ashwood 4 vs 4.  Then the boys met some very skilled lacrosse players in Emmanuel and Williamstown Colleges where the results didn’t work in their favour.  We then made it through to the Semi Final against Williamstown where we lost 4 vs 0.

Overall the boys really learnt how to play lacrosse in a competitive game situation and continued to grow throughout the day.  These boys, I believe, will continue to grow together as a team leading into future EXCEL Sport competitions.

The girls met some serious competition in Game 1 vs Williamstown 1 where we drew 6/6.  It wasn’t a loss but the girls did take a lot out of that game.  They were on their way.  They realized that they really needed to focus on this day and adapt to the new skills that they have learnt.  Game 2 vs Williamstown 2 again was a heart starter and with a reshuffle of positions on the field, the girls played with growing confidence and they walked away with a win just being 7/6.  Having that winning feeling, the girls walked into Game 3 with confidence.  Ashwood College was another quality school that we were able to combat comprehensively.  The girls won 4/0. 

The draw then played out that we had to play Williamstown 1 in the semi-final.  As we drew with them in Game 1, the girls really had to focus and play smart.  Williamstown got the jump on us leading 3 goals to 0 in the first 3 minutes of the game.  The girls really needed to focus and remember what they were capable of.  With their base level fitness being extremely good and their patience and belief in their ability, the girls clawed their way back and ended up winning the semi 8/6 which put the team into the State Grand Final.

The girls were playing Ashwood in the State Grand Final.  We beat this team convincingly in the round robin but this was a new game.  The girls were tired but so was our opposition.  We really needed to take it back to basics and play the game on our terms.  Play by play.  Goal by goal.  The first half was tense.  It was goal for goal however we went into half time 3/2 and feeling good.  After some motivating words and instilling the belief into the girls they came out of half time with a fire in the belly and determination in their hearts.  Goal after unanswered goal, the girls gave their all, emptied their energy tanks and completely exhausted came away with an 7/1 win to become the STATE LACROSSE CHAMPIONS!  I couldn’t be more proud.  The girls did everything right, followed the game plan and did it!

I believe that this will be the first of many state championships that this team will achieve over their EXCEL Sport journey.   I’m so glad that I could be there to see this.

Congratulations to all the players that represented the College with pride, excellence and perseverance.

Stay Sporty,

Jade Brand  - Sport Coordinator