Sports Report

As we near the end of term and some sports have finished, others continue their seasons or are about to start, I would like to thank all our students, staff, parents and friends of the College who volunteer their time to play, coach, manage, umpire of be involved in other ways in our extensive sporting program. A function will be held next term to recognise those people who give up their time to ensure we can offer the size of sporting program we currently do. More information and invitations will be sent early next term.

It has been another successful winter of sport with three hockey premierships and many others playing in Grand Finals last weekend. The College Magpies Under 16 boys of course won their 4th straight premiership in what will be the last ever junior football season for the club. Our shooters have been doing well in local and some at state level and have some competitions to go in Term Four.

The growth of soccer at the school continues and one of our teams is in the Grand Final this week in the local Wednesday night competition. During the first week of next term our best eleven cricketers will be taking on Monivae College in the inaugural battle for a new shield and bragging rights between the two schools. Racquet sports is another sport on offer at College that is expanding quickly with students playing table tennis and squash in the local community this term and we have many students starting a new season of summer tennis.

Last week we had 5 keen golfers go to the Hamilton Golf Club to compete in the annual Glenelg Division event. Special mention to Fergus Peddie who came runner up in his junior boys’ division. Our other golfers were Will Merrin, Henry Bensch, George Austin and Neve McClure.

Well done also to all our students who have had individual and team success with their community sporting teams over the winter. It is great to hear about and/or see in the media and share your successes.

Leigh Alexander

Director of Sport

Girls' Hockey Report - Hockey Grand Finals

Well what a Friday 13th it was for the College A Grade Strikers. The girls were undefeated through the season and finished the perfect year with a 4-1 victory over Coleraine Black to be crowned the 2019 Premiers. Credit to Coleraine who played an excellent game and really pushed the Strikers until the final whistle.

The first 15 minutes saw a very even contest with College hitting the scoreboard first from a penetrating drag flick from Captain Hannah Russell. Coleraine hit back right away when our defence was left out of position. Gracie Austin soon put College back in front with a clever tap in after some excellent teamwork from the forwards.

Coach Hannah Russell kept the girls calm at half time but emphasised the importance of close marking and working to create space. Ruby Cush, Nakita Cavill and Lucy Roberts were very disciplined across the half line and made their opponents earn every pass. Chloe Russell and Chloe Andersen have formed the best backline in the Association and Coleraine found it impossible to get through them in the second half. Chloe Russell scored a vital goal off a short corner in the second half and Chloe Andersen’s move up forward created many a headache for the Coleraine backline.

The speed and skill of Gracie Austin and Phoebe Russell has been a real strength of the Strikers this season and these two girls worked themselves to exhaustion. You could not ask anymore from your two key strikers. The tackling pressure of Alyssa Hocking and her ability to create turnovers ensured she once again played a vital role in the victory. The skills of Maddi Mutch were exquisite and she danced and weaved her way around her opponents all night to set up numerous short corners. Nina Pern can play anywhere, and once again her versatility was crucial as she covered both forward and back when needed.

The youngest member of the team Emily McNaughton has been our rock all year and she made some crucial saves to keep the College girls on top. She has such a bright future!

My thanks to our two coaches Hannah and James Russell who have taught the girls so much this year. Their dedication and expertise has been invaluable. Thank you also to our ever cheerful and helpful team manager Jodie Russell who has ensured the smooth running of the bench.

The 2019 College Strikers have been one of the most talented teams ever to put on the College guernsey. Their love for the game of hockey, their team work and their dedication have ensured this season will go down as one of the best ever.

ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Best on Ground Division One Grand final – Chloe Russell

Best and Fairest and Highest Goal Scorer for Division One – Hannah Russell

Best Association Umpire – Chloe Andersen

Umpires Encouragement Award – Hannah Russell

B Grade Runners Up Best and Fairest – Jordy Brown

Best on Ground B Grade Grand final – Claire Cumming

U16 Baulch Family Trophy – Ruby Cush

Kristen Waldron

B Grade Blades Hockey Report

B Grade Blades approached the Grand Final knowing that they would have to do what no one had been able to achieve all season (overcome the undefeated Demons) if they were to emerge as premiers. Demons came out hard, scoring the first goal early and maintained their relentless dominance for the rest of the match. The Blades’ girls fought hard, working well in defence and making numerous forward plays; unfortunately they could not break through for a goal to keep in touch with the strong Demons outfit. Emily Crawford played a great captain’s game, trying her best to create opportunities in the forward line and was well supported by Kate Jessop who made important intercepts and kept running hard all day. Claire Cumming was kept busy in goals, making many fine saves; her excellent efforts were recognised after the match as she was awarded the trophy for Best on Ground – well deserved after a terrific season. Unfortunately, despite some good team play and endless persistence, the girls could not match the speed and experience of the Demons team, finally going down 7-1. The highlight for Blades came late in the game when Zoë Rudge, in perfect position on the post, was able to find the back of the net, to secure our only goal. Despite the sense of disappointment on the day, the girls can hold their heads high, knowing they gave their best and being able to reflect on a season full of improvement, teamwork and fun. After such a successful season, the Blades girls can look forward to taking the field again in 2020.

Belinda Nichols

Under 16 and Mens Hockey

Two teams. Two thrilling Premierships!

The Open Men’s team scored a fine 4-3 victory over Coleraine Bulls in the Grand Final. Goal-scorers were Tãne Nelson and Captain Reagan Simons (2 each). After a tight first half, we went out to a 4-1 lead early in the second period. Things tightened as Bulls, as always, refused to buckle, but some strong defending ensured the lead was maintained. The Captain led from the front in an excellent display of composure and skill and he was very well supported by his team. Our goalie, Marcus Munro, was, as usual, alert and strong while James Sutherland, Old Collegian Lachlan Holcombe, Charles Cain, Darcy Wall and Eren Zehir each made important contributions in the backline. Also effective in defence was Ferg Roberts who enjoyed a short time up-field; he has benefited from playing deeper where his vision and skill allows him to bring others into the game. Perhaps the key defender, at centre-half, was Ralph Carolan, the only staff member in the team (indeed, the only player who was not a teenager!) whose voice, anticipation and skill ensured the stability of the backline. In the forward half, supporting the Captain, Dougal Sweeney, Isaac Hocking, Jock Adamson, Jono Lee and Lachlan Armstrong worked and ran hard to create opportunities, with Tãne’s speed providing the icing on the cake.

Close to two-thirds of the Open team leave so the 2020 team will have a new look about it. Fortunately, we have blooded a couple of players during the season and the quality of our Under 16 teams ensures there are plenty of good young players emerging.

This was particularly evident in a close and very exciting Under 16 final where College Gold met Coleraine Black. These are two very fine teams and the game was a testament to the skill and endeavour of both teams. Down 0-2 at half time, Gold responded with a brilliant period of play in which they scored three goals to take the lead. Coleraine replied late in the game to send the match into a “shoot-out.” Milo Cooper (2) and Euan Sutherland had scored in regulation time and I have to say the rest of the game became so intense that I neglected to record who actually scored! What did become clear was that goal-keeper Hamish Jeffery was “on song” and he made a number of huge saves as the shoot out went beyond the first round before Gold edged ahead 4-3 in this phase. Great praise to Mrs Julia Winter Cooke, Mr Wayne Munro and their charges on a brilliant season. They are most worthy Premiers!

Neil MacLean

Hockey Dinner

What a great night to draw the season to a conclusion!

205 people attended our Hockey Dinner and we were able to acknowledge and celebrate the hockey season just past. Each team acknowledged the coach and others who had made their seasons so positive and, in turn, coaches presented awards to two players from their team. These awards follow:

Division 5

Most Committed – Phoebe Alexander

Most Improved – Finn Hawthorne

Division 4

Tassie Devils:

Best Team Player – Dougal White

Most Improved – Byron McMahon

Drop Bears:

Most Committed – Sasha Laidlaw

Most Improved – Anna Davidson

Bandicoots:

Best and Fairest – Ciaran Nelson

Best Team Player – Lily Cush

Division 3 (Under 16)

College Red:

Most Improved – Matt Spence

Best Team Player - Charley Falla-Jones

College Blue:

Best and Fairest – Jack Austin

Most Committed – Charlie Duver

College Gold:

Best and Fairest – Isaac Hocking

Best Team Player – Clancy Munro

Division 2 (B Grade)

Blades:

Best and Fairest – Emily Crawford

Most Committed – Claire Cumming

Scorchers:

Best and Fairest – Jordy Brown

Most Improved – Micaela Meyer

Division 1

College Women:

Best and Fairest – Hannah Russell

Runner-up Best and Fairest – Grace Austin

Most Improved – Alyssa Hocking

College Men:

Leadership – Reagan Simons

Most Committed – Marcus Munro

In addition, all Year 12 students were presented with a framed memento of their hockey years at College. This was a wonderful initiative and we are very grateful to Mrs Michelle Simons for the huge amount of time spent in putting these together.

We were also able to acknowledge recipients of Association awards which had been presented after Grand Finals. These were:

Best and Fairest (Div 1 Women) – Hannah Russell

Best on Ground (Div 1 Women) in Grand Final – Chloe Russell

Highest Goal Scorer (Div 1 Women) – Hannah Russell

Best on Ground (B Grade) Grand Final – Claire Cumming

U16 Baulch Family Trophy – Ruby Cush

Best and Fairest (Div 1 Men) – Reagan Simons

Runner-up Best and Fairest (B Grade) – Jordy Brown

Runner-up Best and Fairest (Under 16) – Eren Zehir

Finally, we were able to acknowledge and thank several students who had undertaken many umpiring duties during the year. Firstly, those recognised by the Association:

Best Umpire – Chloe Andersen

Umpire Awards – Tãne Nelson, Hannah Russell, Reagan Simons

…and also those who took on more than their share of our rostered duties:

Jack Austin, Ruby Cush, Will Merrin (+1)

We had a great time!

Neil MacLean, Stephen Nelson, Kristen Waldron

Netball News

Term 4 netball

The next netball season at Pedrina Park begins on 12th October. We have registered 2 intermediate/senior teams (Diamonds and Vixens), and one 13&U team (Magpies). Trainings will be held Tuesday lunchtimes, and students are expected to attend and be prepared to participate fully. Thank you to those who have been willing to coach, umpire and manage teams; your help is greatly appreciated.

We will be notified of game times prior to matches; in the first term games were at 9.30am and 10.30am, so the times are likely to be similar. The same time is NOT guaranteed each week. Draws will be emailed out to all students each week. Easy access to the draw is through the HNA (Hamilton Netball Association) Facebook page.

Registrations are open now – you will need to log in to your child’s “My Netball Victoria” registration. Please select the “Junior competition” – NOT the mixed competition. For those who have already paid their VNA insurance this year (which I note is almost every player) the fee should be reduced to $50. This covers court fees, umpires and game fees. If your child has not played before, or registered this year, the fee will be higher. Please be aware too, that VNA is for a calendar year, so paying in Term 4 does not cover them for Term 1 in 2020. Please complete this registration process during the holidays. This fee cannot be put onto school accounts, and I cannot log on for you. If you have any issues whatsoever please contact Melissa Beaton via email - krugs77@hotmail.com

Students have also already been emailed the consent forms from the Netball Association – please print, fill these in and get them back to me ASAP. I will submit them to the Association as a group batch. These also need to be completed before the first game.

Thanks very much, and I look forward to seeing you during the season supporting our teams.

Netball Premierships Contested

Last weekend there were a number of students and staff contesting Grand Finals in netball. While some were celebrating, others were disappointed, but to get to the final match of the season is testament to a long season (and pre-season) of hard work paying off.

The results summarised (players involved):

Mininera League: B grade – Glen Dunkeld (Mrs Couchman, Olivia Anagnostou, Lauren Richards, Arielle Dickeson) defeated Penshurst (Jedah Huf) by a single goal in the last few seconds of the game.

C grade – Bec Watt played in the C grade, but they were unfortunately defeated.

15 & U – Grace Cowland won a Premiership with Hawkesdale Macarthur.

In the junior divisions, Charlotte Millear, Emma Vallance and Chloe Frost all experienced a loss.

Neve McClure, playing for Harrow Balmoral in the Horsham and District League, also lost in her Grand Final.

In other news, there were some more club vote counts and impressive personal results. Rosie Dopheide won runner-up best and fairest for Coleraine U15s, as did Miss Georgina Hodge for Cavendish’s B grade team. Grace Cowland (Hawkesdale Macarthur) won the coveted Kath O’Brian Perpetual Award (awarded an U16 player).

I congratulate all players throughout the season. If there is any more news from club or league votes, please let me know.

As a final quick note, please remember to get payments made and forms filled out for the Term 4 season at the earliest convenience.

Jody Ogle

Head of Netball

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