Sport News

Sporting Apparel

Playing Uniform

All boys must be in the correct uniform to play. By and large, we get this right but there is the odd slip up. Our reputation, and your image are on show on game day. Opposition, visitors and spectators are judging us all by our appearance.

This includes travelling to and from the venue. The new MCA tracksuit or jumper are able to be worn over the playing kit in colder or wet weather. No one should be seen in non-MCA gear on match days.

Boys must be always in covered footwear. We do not allow thongs, slides or Birkenstocks to be worn at any time. 

If you are staying to watch the firsts after your match you must bring your school uniform and change after your match. No-one is to be walking around the fields or courts in random gear.

First Teams - Marigold Jersey and Playing Jersey

Being selected in a first team is very special. It is the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, skill, insight, passion and commitment. It rightly should be celebrated and appreciated. The wearing of a firsts jersey should be reserved for the premier competition that teams play in- in most cases the AIC. All pre-season and non-AIC competition matches are to played in the College jersey and playing shorts and socks. 

The day a boy gets to pull on the marigold shirt, put on the baggy cap, et cetera, is special and it should be the first time he wears the item as a signifier that he has made it.

The marigold training shirt and singlet is unique to Marist Ashgrove and again has a significant position in our college culture. Similar to the jersey, it is easy to diminish its value. Therefore, the following conditions apply to wearing it:

Extended first squads are to wear the blue MCA training shirt for the pre-season phase. Once the final first team squad has been chosen boys will be able to purchase and wear the marigold firsts training shirt to training as directed by the coaches.

If you made the first team the year before or in another sport and already have a marigold shirt you are not to wear it to training until the final squad has been chosen and all players wear the marigold.

To sum this up: when you have earnt it you can wear it. 

First Team Commemorative Items

A commemorative item will be given out each year to players from the first team based on players meeting the following criteria: 

• To be eligible to receive a commemorative item players must have started a match for the first team throughout the AIC season.
• Only the number of players who have started one or more matches will be presented with a commemorative item. 
• Where the sport plays in positional numbered jerseys, the jersey number will be allocated to the player who played the most matches in that number. Players who started a match but did not play the greatest number of matches in any specific starting number will be presented a reserve number jersey.
• Where a sport plays in squad numbers, the jersey number will be allocated to the player who played the most matches in that number. Players who started a match but did not play the greatest number of matches in any specific number will be presented with an alternative number jersey.     
• In the event of more players being eligible than number of items available, the College will order additional items. 
• In special circumstances, such as injury or illness, the criteria can be overridden by the College to include any additional participants at their discretion. 
• In Championship sports all opens athletes who are selected to participate on the day of competition at the AIC championship will be eligible to receive a commemorative item.
• In special circumstances, such as injury or illness, the criteria can be overridden by the College to include any additional participants at their discretion.

Grievance Policy - Sport

Sports Selections

Sporting teams at Marist College Ashgrove will be selected using specific criteria for each sport. Detailed selection policies for each sport can be accessed on the College App or by contacting the relevant activity coordinator or director.

The selection of teams or individuals for events is taken very seriously by all staff, as is promotion and relegation of players considering the sport specific criteria in addition to ability and skill level, attitude and aptitude and attendance at training and competition.

In relation to player selection the College has clear guidelines for students and parents to follow.

• If a player or parent wishes to discuss any concerns relating to the selection criteria or process, they must contact the coordinator or director of that activity. Under no circumstances are students or parents to make direct contact with the coach of the team.
• If the player or parent wishes to continue further discussion of selection matters a meeting is to be organised with the Head of Sport or Head of Sport Primary.
• If after those discussions the student and or parent are still not satisfied, a meeting will be arranged with the Deputy Head of College.
• If after those discussions the student and or parent are still not satisfied, a meeting will be arranged with the Head of College.

General Concerns/Grievances

If a student or parent wishes to provide feedback on any aspects of the sporting program, they are most welcome to do so. There are clear guidelines for students and parents to follow:

• If a student or parent wishes to provide feedback on any other aspects of the sporting program in the first instance, they are to contact the activity coordinator or director.
• Should the player or parent wish to continue the concern, feedback or grievance after this, a meeting will be organised with the Head of Sport or Head of Sport Primary.
• If after those discussions the student and or parent are still not satisfied, a meeting will be arranged with the College Deputy Head of College.
• If after those discussions the student and or parent are still not satisfied, a meeting will be arranged with the Head of College.
• Formal complaints can be raised through the formal complaints process, as outlined on the College website, by emailing community@marash.qld.edu.au. 

Multi-Sport Participation

Boys are encouraged throughout the year to participate in a range of sports and activities to build character, resilience and discipline, while enjoying representing the College and participating with their mates.

Unfortunately with 12 major sports and a range of other sports in the calendar it is not always possible to participate in all the chosen sports for everyone. The AIC sets the calendar and allocates which sports are played in which terms. This is based on a combination of AIC history and tradition, sport specific norms, balance across the calendar and operational requirements such as venue availability.

As a College we operate on two key parameters, participation and success. Both are equally important to us. We want boys playing in a range of sports as much as possible and doing as well as they can in those sports.

Boys can only participate in one premiership sport (week to week fixtures) and one championship sport (one day event) in a term. In term one that means boys must choose between volleyball, cricket and AFL. They can also participate in swimming. In term 2 boys must choose between rugby and football and they can also participate in cross country. In term 3 boys must choose between rugby league, basketball and tennis, and they can also participate in athletics.

There are a number of reasons for this:

We want to maximise every boy’s potential participation. Where a boy is playing in 2 sports another boy is potentially not able to play any sport that term.

Where the by-laws state that fixture times for the two teams involved (ie a rugby and a football team) do not clash does not mean that will not always be the case as the by-law times are a recommendation not compulsory so schools are free to adjust to suit. 

With upwards of 1200 boys playing sport in Term 1 and another 1200 in Term 2, it is impossible to manage the training schedules to avoid clashes for boys in multiple teams in the same term.  

Student Achievements

Our water polo team continues to go from strength to strength. On the back of term 4 successes in the AIC Open Competition and the Queensland All-Schools, a number of boys have been selected in the Met North team to participate in the Queensland state titles. Congratulations to Angus Cope, Joseph Cervetto, Tom Sloman and Sean Bright.  Max Russo was named as a shadow player.

Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Marist Rugby Union – Social Media 

@marist_ashgrove_rugby

This year the College has delivered some wonderful rugby memories through our social media pages. From the small bumblebees in Year 5 through to the biggest bumblebees in Year 12, all of it has been 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

Marist Rugby Holiday Program

Next week Mr Adam Earnshaw – Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, will release a holiday program for Year 5-11 students. 

Please follow the Marist app for all the necessary information to attend sessions and download strength, conditioning, and rugby sessions.

Term 4 Training

Congratulations to all the Year 9-11 students who participated in the 5-week training block! Their hard work and dedication have been wonderful to see, and it was fantastic to watch the challenges they faced each training session, and the significant growth both physically and mentally. Well done to everyone involved!

The aims of the program were to provide education and direction to drive ambition; to deliver skill development to improve technique and decision making under pressure; and to increase strength and conditioning benchmarks.

Expectations and Standards

• Performance behaviours that drive the training environment

Skill Development

• Core skill focus
• Technical
• Decision making
• Pressure / no pressure

Fitter, Faster, Stronger

• Optimally prepared to allow each student to perform at their best, individually and collectively

Thanks to the coaches who supported the program – Mr Chris Daykin, Mr Charlie Taylor, Mr Paddy Conn, Mr James Trebbin, Mr Tom Dangerfield, and Mr Adam Earnshaw.

Well done to those Year 5-11 students who participated in the Scrum Ready Program.

We understand that player welfare is at the front of every decision we make and that we all have a collective responsibility to manage the welfare of the students who play the game at all levels within the College.

The Scrum Ready Program was run to educate, aid and support our students on the importance of good technical understanding, sufficient preparation for training, core strength development, and ultimately enjoyed while reducing the risk of serious injury. 

To support the great work already done by the students, we will release a holiday program for those students wishing to continue this foundation of work.

Thanks to Mr Chris Daykin, Mr Doug Perrers and Mr James Trebbin for coaching the students through this fantastic initiative. Thanks also to Mr Adam Earnshaw for supporting the program through his athletic development programs in the Marist gym.

Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Marist Track and Field – Social Media 

@marist_ashgrove_sports

Marist College has showcased incredible moments in Track and Field this year, from Year 5 victories to exceptional feats by our Year 12 students, all vividly captured on our social media pages. 

Stay updated with Marist Track and Field on Instagram @marist_ashgrove_sports

Tennis

Director of Tennis - Mr Andrew Ward

Welcome to the weekly tennis news update, where we delve into the latest developments in the dynamic world of tennis. At MCA Tennis, our commitment to constant improvement and evolution remains unwavering. We highly value the insights of our esteemed members and dedicated students, as their feedback plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of our services.

In our pursuit of providing an unparalleled experience, we encourage both students and parents to participate in our survey initiative. Designed to be discreet, the surveys aim to gather candid opinions, ensuring anonymity for honest feedback. Your valuable input is crucial in our ongoing efforts to elevate the standards of our magnificent facility.

Looking ahead, we place significant emphasis on the future development and infrastructure of the tennis Centre and its amenities. Our strategic plans include a comprehensive overhaul scheduled for next year, with the resurfacing of all courts. This endeavour is poised to rejuvenate our courts, offering a fresh and revitalized ambience. Because, as they say, there's nothing quite like a new coat of paint to transform and invigorate.

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey towards excellence in tennis facilities.

Holiday Clinics

We are delighted to announce a series of enriching tennis clinics scheduled over the upcoming holiday period. Mark your calendars for the following dates:

Clinic 1:

• Dates: 28th, 29th, 30th November

Clinic 2:

• Dates: 4th, 5th, 6th December

Clinic 3: Xmas Clinic

• Dates: 18th, 19th, 20th December

Clinic 4: Australian Open Clinic

• Dates: Mon 15th, 16th, 17th January

Each of these immersive clinics is crafted to elevate your tennis skills and provide a holistic experience. The cost for participation is $150 per person for the entirety of the three-day clinic or $60 per day, offering flexibility to suit individual preferences.

Secure your spot for these exceptional clinics by registering promptly. Your tennis journey awaits, and we look forward to a period of skill refinement and camaraderie.

Term 4 Coaching 2023

In light of the constraints imposed by a brief school term, we would like to apprise you of the adjustments to our coaching schedule for Term 4, 2023. Recognizing the inability to conduct coaching sessions on the public holiday at the term's commencement, we extend an invitation to our Monday coaching session on the 27th of November. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated; however, we understand that scheduling conflicts may arise. In such cases, we are more than willing to accommodate makeup private lessons during the weeks when our tennis clinics are in session.

Super League Teams

In the realm of competitive play, we are actively seeking nominations from both students and adults interested in participating in the Super League, set to kick off in Term 1, 2024. If you possess the zeal to join a team, kindly convey your willingness to participate, and we will provide the necessary assistance to ensure your seamless integration into the upcoming competition.

For all reservations and nominations, we kindly request that you utilize our designated email address: MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au. Should you have any inquiries or require further clarification, please feel free to contact me on ph. 0437 449 523.

Term 1 Coaching 2024 

In the imminent unveiling of our Term 1 timetable, our foremost objective is to curate a schedule that embraces inclusivity and flexibility, affording our esteemed clients the autonomy to tailor their participation to their specific needs—whether opting for a comprehensive attendance or a more tailored frequency of sessions each week.

Strategically aligned with this commitment, we are poised to introduce an expanded array of both group classes and squad sessions. This deliberate augmentation is designed to cater to the holistic development of all students, providing them with enhanced opportunities to refine their skills and traverse the pathways to success in the realm of tennis.

As we embark on this progressive journey, stay tuned for comprehensive updates, symbolizing our steadfast dedication to delivering a dynamic and personalized tennis experience. Your ongoing support is pivotal to our collective success, and we eagerly anticipate sharing further insights into these enriching developments in the days ahead.

2023/24 MCA Tennis Members

In alignment with our commitment to ensuring the security and exclusivity of our facilities, all current members for the ongoing financial year have been assigned a new, upgraded pin code for gate access. If, by any chance, you have not received your updated pin code, we kindly urge you to reach out to us promptly for the issuance of the new credentials. It is imperative to note that all previously assigned pin codes have been systematically deleted to enhance the overall security measures.

A gentle reminder for all users of our exceptional facilities: membership is a prerequisite for access. While we appreciate that members may wish to introduce guests, it is essential to note that frequent guests are encouraged to transition into affiliated members for continued access to our comprehensive facilities and their myriad offerings, both presently and in the foreseeable future.

Our memberships are thoughtfully crafted to cater to diverse needs:

1. Family Membership
2. Student Membership
3. Adult Membership
4. Old Boy Membership

These memberships extend an inclusive invitation not only to the Marist community but also to the broader public. Your commitment to becoming a member ensures not only your continued enjoyment of our facilities but also your active participation in fostering the future growth and excellence of our tennis club.

For this, we can’t thank you enough.

Swimming

Mr James Boyce - Director of Swimming

Congratulations to all the swimmers who competed at the Brisbane Relay Championships on Sunday 5 November. The MCA swimming club had the following top 10 results. 

Second Place

• Boys 13-14 Freestyle Relay - Archer Mellifont, Phelix Meehan, Nicholas Osborn, Sam Mapledoram
• Boys 15-16 Medley Relay - Ed Wild, Josh Mason, James Leigh, Ryan O’Toole

Third Place

• Boys 15-16 Freestyle Relay - Ryan O’Toole, Noah Magoffin, Lachie Vink, James Leigh
• Men Open Freestyle Relay - Sam Altoft, Noah Coco, Jack Kelly, Jack Goyen
• Mixed Open - Sam Altoft, Jack Goyen, Molly Flood, Emily Draper

Top 10

• 7th: Boys 9-10 Freestyle Relay - Jesse Ryan Dale, Harrison Kirkman, Flynn Barrett, Jimmy Ryan
• 10th: Boys 9-10 Medley Relay - Jesse Ryan Dale, Flynn Barrett, Jimmy Ryan, Harrison Kirkman
• 5th: Boys 13-14 Medley Relay - Archer Mellifont, Nicholas Osborn, Phelix Meehan, Sam Mapledoram
• 10th: Girls 15-16 Medley Relay - Abby Wild, Matilda Canning, Chelsea Adams, Kate Shield
• 8th: Mens Open Medley Relay - James Leigh, Sam Altoft, Jack Kelly, Jack Goyen
• 6th: Mixed 13-14 Freestyle Relay - Phelix Meehan, Mackenzie Sharpe, Archer Mellifont, Matilda Canning
• 6th: Mixed 15-16 Freestyle Relay - James Leigh, Ryan O’Toole, Kate Shield, Abby Wild