Sport Committee
Annabelle Connellan – Clare School Captain
After the completion of the recent winter and summer Olympics, I went around the College and interviewed some of our most talented athletes to get to know them more and see what steps they are taking to compete at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. I was lucky enough to interview Airlie Davis (swimmer) and Cara Dineen (basketballer).
I asked the girls five question each and here are their responses.
Airlie Davis – Year 10
What is your sport and how long have you been doing it for?
My Sport is swimming, and I was swimmer from around the age of 12 months old.
Why do you enjoy your sport?
I love being in the water, it makes me feel calm and has helped me make some great friendships in the pool.
What is your most memorable moment/ highlight?
My most memorable moment and highlight is after having my back surgery for scoliosis in 2017 at the age of 10, I had the opportunity to go to the Pacific School Games in Adelaide and swim for the Qld Swimming Team. I won my first Gold in the Mixed Multiclass Medley Relay for 10 to 12-year old’s and we broke the Pacific School Games record!
Who is a role model in your sport and why?
Brenden Hall and Lakeisha (Lucky) Patterson because they have made it to the Paralympics and shown everyone that if you give something ago no matter your disabilities, your dreams can come true. It is my dream to be in the Australian Dolphin’s team at a future Paralympics just like Brenden and Lucky.
Do have any ambitions or goals for the future?
My goal for the future is to make it to the Paralympics in 2024, 2028 and 2032 and to inspire other people with disabilities to do the same. I believe that I can make it by training hard, not giving up and keep believing in myself even when I have bad days at training and at competitions.
Cara Dineen – Year 12
What is your sport and why did you start playing it?
As a child I was very active and got into sport at an early age. At such a young age, I tried many sports including karate, ballet, OZ tag and many more, although, I decided on basketball to be one of my main sports and have been working on my basketball game for around 12 years.
Who is someone you look up to in the sport?
Someone that I look up to in basketball is Shyla Heal. Shyla is currently playing in the WNBL and has such an unique story and I will give you a quick overview. Just last year Shyla, who was only 19, was picked in the first-round as number eight in the WNBA draft. This made news across the world. After playing five games, she was dropped from the Chicago Sky and released from the WNBA. She took to Instagram to say “This set back is exactly what I needed. Not many 19-year-olds get a taste of the best league in the world at all …. and now I’ve NEVER been more motivated.” Shyla has worked hard her entire life on her basketball and her attitude and mindset after an experience she was so excited about got stripped away from her, is just phenomenal and inspiring.
What is your favourite thing about your sport?
My favourite thing about basketball is the connection that you have with all these different coaches and players that you play with or even play against. I also love the opportunity to gain that connection with the younger players when you coach them.
What is an achievement you are most proud of and why?
An achievement that I am most proud of is being a part of the NBL1 North. NBL1 is a semi-professional basketball league in Australia and the North conference combines Queensland and the Northern Territory. Being a part of this league over the past year has been an amazing experience being able to play with and against some of the best players in Australia. I have learnt so much from new coaches and teammates.
Is it a goal of yours to make it to the Olympics one day? If so, do you have a plan in place to achieve this goal?
It is a goal of mine to make it to the Olympics and to do so I’m hoping to study and play basketball over in College in America after school as my stepping stones to learning more about this sport.
Giselle Shaw
What is your sport and why did you start playing it?
My sport is athletics, with my favourite events being hurdles, 100- and 200-meter sprints, and long and high jump. I started doing athletics after quitting ballet, as my parents suggested it to me.
Who is someone you look up to in the sport?
Sally Pearson is one of my main sports role models, as she’s an Australian athlete who strove to achieve in the 100-meter hurdles.
What is your favourite thing about your sport?
My favourite thing about athletics is the new friends and social connections you make at training and competitions.
What is an achievement you are most proud of and why?
One achievement that I’m proud of is that I was able to represent my athletics club at Little Athletics’ State Relays this year, and my teammates and I were able to place in three events. Another would be making the Queensland All Schools’ Merit Team for the 200m hurdles.
Is it a goal of yours to make it to the Olympics one day? If so, do you have a plan in place to achieve this goal?
Going to the Olympics is definitely something to aim for. Competing at the 2032 Olympics would be incredible! One thing that I know will help me get there is to keep training and doing my best at competitions.
From Annabelle Connellan:
As you can see, we have some really talented athletes at the college. It was a huge privilege to speak with them and I know that this will inspire and motivate the students at Mount A to participate in sport and reach for their goals. Watch out for these girls in 2032!!