Sport News

Mr Derek Lennon

We had the highs and lows of schoolboy sport within a couple of hours of each other on Saturday with both first teams in premiership shoot-outs at Padua. Tears of joy for the footballers were turned into tears of despair for the rugby boys over the course of an afternoon. It is often said that you learn more from a loss than a win and the teacher in me, while feeling devastated for the boys who were so gallant on Saturday, can’t help but wonder how much the experiences both teams were exposed to will do for them as they grow into men of character, commitment, vulnerability and integrity. Certainly, both of our first teams did the College proud on Saturday with their skill, their effort and their conduct.

Round 7 v Padua College

Last weekend saw the conclusion to the AIC Chess, Rugby and Football seasons for 2025 with the majority of matches played at Banyo for their Back to Banyo Old Boys Day. It was a terrific atmosphere and the boys really enjoyed playing in front of a big crowd.

We started on Friday night with our Chess boys having a draw against Padua College in the 1st IV and winning the Intermediate A and Junior A matches and the Junior B finishing in a tie. It was a tough season for the Chess program. The 1st IV managed 1 win and 1 tie over the season finishing in seventh place. The aggregate saw Marist finishing in eighth place. Our best performing teams were our Junior (Primary) A (1 loss) and B (undefeated) teams who both finished in first place. Thank you to Mr Tim Humphry and Mr Aaron Manson for your leadership, organisation, and guidance of the chess program along with captain of Chess, Ben Mead.

Saturday saw football travel to Padua with most games at Banyo. The 1st XI won a gripping match 2-1 to finish equal first as undefeated back-to-back premiers with St Patrick’s College. It was an excellent team performance under pressure, notable for fine performances from a couple of players making their starting debut and some older, experienced players leading the team around the field. Overall, we had a good day against a tough competitor with Marist winning 18, Padua winning 15 and 6 draws. It was enough to hold off Padua to finish in second place in the aggregate behind St Laurence’s College. Our undefeated teams were 1st XI, 10B, 10C, 8A, 6A and 5B. Thank you to the football coaches and staff, including captain of Football, James Woolaston for your leadership and guidance throughout the season. Congratulations to the whole team and to coaches Mr Blair Whitlock and Mr Willem Baines for securing the 2025 AIC 1st XI Premiership, and Blair’s tireless work over the season leading the entire program.

The 1st XV also had an epic match at Padua with the two 1st XV teams going head-to-head for the premiership in a winner takes all grand final. On Saturday the team were magnificent to a man and could not be faulted for the brand of rugby, the application and the commitment that the boys displayed. Unfortunately, in sport, sometimes you can do absolutely everything you can, but the other team are just better, and this was the case on Saturday as Padua defeated us 24-19 in a see-sawing game of rugby. The final result was that the 1st XV finished in second place behind Padua College. As a program we won the aggregate shield in a reflection of the strength of Marist Rugby. The undefeated teams in rugby were 3rd XV, 4th VX, 5th XV, 7th XV, 9th XV, 10A, 10B, 10C and 8B. Thank you to Mr Richard Graham for his dedication, passion, and knowledge in leading our rugby program, and captain of Rugby Seb Gardiner for your leadership of the boys.

Inter-house Athletics Carnival

This week we have our inter-house athletics carnival. We look forward to enjoying a day of spirited competition between the houses. A broad range of activities and competitions have been organised beyond the traditional track and field events to cater for everyone. Most importantly, it is a chance to come together as a Marist community and enjoy all the great things about inclusion, togetherness, mateship and fun. Good luck to our competitive track and field athletes for the carnival.

Term 3 Trials

Good luck to all boys trialling for term 3 sports, tennis, rugby league and basketball, and our fast-approaching track and field season. Details are available on the Orbit app. Just a reminder to hold off buying playing uniforms until teams are finalised in Term 3.

Confraternity Carnival- Rugby League

Best wishes go to our Confraternity Carnival squad as they head to Rockhampton for the biggest schoolboy rugby league competition in Queensland. Thank you to Mr Ryan Apps, Mr Dallas Williams, Mr Mal Grealy, Mr Brad Winchester and Mr Lachlan Gough for your leading the group to Confro and your continued commitment to the rugby league program here at Marist.

Student Achievements

Hockey

Matthew Alvarez represented Metropolitan North U15 Boys Hockey Team who finished in first place winning 6 out of 6 games in the recent Queensland State Championships in Townsville, Queensland.

At this carnival Matthew was selected to represent the Queensland U15 Boys Hockey team to compete at the National Championships to be held in Canberra in August. We wish Matthew well at this prestigious competition.

Rugby

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in representative club rugby teams. The boys are Owen Aldridge and Nicholas Prendergast (U16 Blue), and Declan Blundell and Harry Ecclestone (U16 Red). We wish the boys well at the upcoming championships.

Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Message of Thank You to “The Hive”

It is a memory that will live with us for a very long time!!....what an electric day of schoolboy rugby. The atmosphere reflected the intensity and significance of the final round of 1st XV rugby for the season.

To every student who stood inside “The Hive”, a massive thank you from everyone involved with the 1st XV. Your passion and commitment to supporting our team was nothing short of exceptional.

The 80-metre tunnel of students welcoming the 1st XV onto the field was a powerful moment.
The sea of blue blazers and the pride with which you cheered on the team is something we will never forget.
The hundreds of students from "The Hive" who brought noise, energy, and unwavering support from the first kick-off to the final whistle.

Even in defeat, you stayed. You applauded. You put your arms around the team and lifted them when they needed it most.

Thank you for helping create something truly special to finish the season.

Marist Rugby Union | Aggregate Champions

Congratulations to our outstanding coordinators, coaches, and students on being crowned the 2025 AIC Rugby Union Aggregate Champions. Following last year’s seven-point win, it’s a remarkable achievement to back it up in 2025, this time by an even more impressive 10.5 points. Marist finished with 80.5 points, ahead of Iona College on 70.

The Aggregate is determined by results across the following teams:

1st XV to 4th XV
10A and B
9A and B
8A and B
7A and B

Congratulations to the 3rd XV, 4th XV, 10A, 10B, 9B and 8B teams for undefeated seasons. This is a wonderful achievement, and testament to the quality of training and ability to deliver consistently across the season in games.

Well done to everyone involved in our magnificent program for your commitment, consistency, and attitude throughout the season.

Well done to our 36 teams

This year, 36 teams represented the College across seven AIC rounds, delivering strong performances every weekend. The season was full of learning, enjoyment, and continual growth. Our teams played with passion, executed our Marist catch pass, backed up with effort on effort, and embraced our physical attacking style of rugby. Thank you to all involved for wearing the bumblebee jersey with pride and representing the College so well.

Thank you to our Coordinators and Coaches

As the curtain falls on another fantastic season, we express our sincere thanks to our coordinators, coaches, and support staff. Week after week, they brought energy, guidance, and care to every training session and match day. Their work has shaped both the rugby outcomes and the young men within our program. We are grateful for everything you have done—and we hope you enjoy a well-earned break before we do it all again in 2026.

Strength and Conditioning

Mr Adam Earnshaw

Opens Rugby

Coordinator: Mr Peter Gaiter

Coaches: Mr Richard Graham, Mr Christopher Daykin, Mr Peter Gaiter, Mr Michael Richards, Mr Glenn Wright, Mr Bill Prole, Mr Joe Coote, Dan Drew, Charlie Gardiner, Henry Gardiner, Connor Heinrich, Hamish Mortimer

Assistant Team Manager: Evan Smith

Year 10 Rugby

Coordinator: Mr Michael Abbott

Coaches: Mr Michael Abbott, Mr Adam Crozier, Mr Simon O'Hare, Mr Max Midgley, Willem Michelmore, Kurt Roberts, Sova Hughes, Lachie Dale, Jack Shay

Year 9 Rugby

Coordinator: Mrs Liz Walsh

Coaches: Mr Charlie Taylor, Mr Mal Grealy, Mr Jye Davies, Mr Wayne Londema, Mr Andy Marshall, Dom Forbes, Gus Watson, Mr Ben Lee

Year 8 Rugby

Coordinator: Mrs Sharon Davidson

Coaches: Mr Brad Winchester, Mr Tom Dangerfield, Mr Pierce Hardy, Ms Grace Ryan, Mr Matt Millward, Mr Steve Day, Cuz Day, Mr James Walton, Mr Jaiden De Roia-Grant

Year 7 Rugby

Coordinator: Mr Damien Nelson

Coaches: Mr David Jackman, Mr Doug Perrers, Mr Ieti Fetalaiga, Mr Damien Nelson, Ms Sarah Palmer, Mr John Milne

Year 6 Rugby

Coordinator: Mrs Sam Marsh

Coaches: Mr John Lambourne, Cameron Maybe, Mr Michael Morley, Mr Jim Midgley, Adam Burnell, Pat Jewell

Year 5 Rugby

Coordinator: Ms Ella Graham

Coaches: Mr Anthony Graham, Mr Richard Coles, Mr Ollie Bartlett, Mr Matt Dangerfield, Mr James Trebbin, James Gurr

The enthusiasm and enjoyment displayed by our players was contagious. The connection they built with their teammates created a culture of resilience, growth, and lifelong friendships. These are the memories that will stay with them long after the final whistle.

Thank you to everyone who made this season possible

To all our parents, volunteers, and administrators, thank you. Your support makes everything we do possible.

A special thank you to our incredible Health Centre team, led by Jane O’Shea and supported by Rebecca Treston, Jenni Broad, Vonnie Reynolds, and Eli Hotston. Your care, professionalism, and tireless dedication ensured our students were always in safe hands.

To our referees, thank you. Our program is the envy of the AIC because of your consistent presence and reliability. We especially thank Mr Drew Meehan for coordinating this team and acknowledge the young Marist referees who debuted this season – James Travers, Tom Cross, Jameson McGahan, Henry Walker, Connor O’Rourke, Ezzie Day. We look forward to your continued involvement in the years ahead.

To our marketing and content team, led by Mrs Bethany Halpin and joined by Mrs Sophie Tuffley, Mr Damien Zoomers, Mr Seb Harman and Gower Production, thank you for your creativity and excellence. You’ve once again raised the bar. From building a strong social media presence to producing another memorable Super Saturday, you’ve played a massive role in the success of our season.

Thank you to Mrs Sophie Tuffley for your ongoing support. Your commitment to promoting our students through our social media platform and raising the profile of our program is truly appreciated.

We also recognise the efforts of our services and grounds team. To Mr David Lomulder, Mr Matt Darch, and Mr Dane Rowe, and to Mr Callum Clark and his team - Mr Michael Graham, Mr Kevin Carr, Mr Jordan McHugh, Mr Kyle Gardiner, Mr Wachirayan Sonsamrong, Mr Kane Ruston, thank you for delivering first-class facilities, rain or shine. In a season where we have had significant amounts of rain, you’ve allowed our students to train and play in the best possible conditions each and every week.

Thanks to Mr Anthony Herbert and the GPS Rugby Club for sharing their fields, giving each year level the space they needed to get the most out of every session.

A huge thank you to our canteen team, Mrs Josie Loucas, Mrs Reo Jenner, Ms Jaqueline Lopez, and Mr Rees Quan-sing. Your coffee and bacon burgers are the best in the AIC, but more importantly, your presence helps create a welcoming and inclusive game day environment.

One of the cornerstones of this season was ensuring every student had the opportunity to play at least 50 minutes each weekend. Our commitment to placing students at the centre of the program was reflected in the lengths taken to find games and provide meaningful playing time for all. To Mr Matt Millward and Mr Eddie Wallace (EO AIC Sport) - thank you for your tireless efforts. Mr Millward’s administration and genuine care for our students is the heartbeat of our program. Mr Wallace’s, behind-the-scenes work made it possible for our boys to take the field each week. A huge thank you to both men.

Finally, to “The Hive” - you are simply the best. Your passion, volume, and support created an electric atmosphere week after week. Super Saturday in the rain was unforgettable! Round 7 against Padua went to a whole new level….. From the longest tunnel to the last cheer, you were absolutely the heartbeat of the team. Your support to the team following the final whistle demonstrates the genuine connection within our community. It is a memory that we will long cherish. Thank you for making this season something truly special.

Marist Rugby Union | Social Media

@marist_ashgrove_rugby

In 2024 the College delivered some wonderful rugby memories through our social media pages. From the smallest bumblebees in Year 5 through to the biggest bumblebees in Year 12, all of it was captured in wonderful colour.

To stay connected with Marist rugby and with all the programs achievements, please follow our Instagram page @marist_ashgrove_rugby.

Football

Football Coordinator – Blair Whitlock

Round 7 vs Padua College

Round 7 saw us head out to Banyo for the final round of matches against Padua College on their Old Boys Day. There were fantastic conditions on the day and strong turnouts from both schools to support the teams throughout the day. There were many highlights several teams putting their strongest performances of the season in.

The future of Marist Football looks very bright with 15 teams competing from the Primary school. The 5B, 6C Blue and 6A teams all completed undefeated seasons with the 6A side finishing as Premiers. The 5A side had a strong 3-1 victory and would have been Premiers if it weren’t for their round three washout. There were 170 boys playing Football from the Primary school and we look forward to following their progress through the years. A huge thank you to Mr Michael Jones (Year 5 Teacher and Junior Coordinator) and Mrs Rachelle Garton (Year 6 Teacher and Coordinator) for their efforts throughout the season.

After a difficult start to the season the Year 7 cohort got stronger week after week which was capped off with a 4-1 victory for the 7A side over a talented Padua team. Thank you to Mr Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh (Acting Head of Students, 7A Coach and Year 7 Coordinator) for his work this season.

There was a big uptake in the year 8 cohort this season with 80 boys playing Football. It was a strong season on the whole with the highlight being the 8As undefeated season and continued run in the U14 ISSA Cup. Thank you to Mrs Maddie Henry (Pastoral Leader- Foley House and Year 8 Coordinator) for all her work coordinating the Year 8s this season.

The Year 9s had a solid season on the whole with the 9A, B and C teams all finishing in the top 3 of their respective divisions. It’s a talented age group and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve in 2026. Thank you to Mr Marcus Schrader (Pastoral Leader – Ephrem and Year 9 Coordinator) for his work with the Year 9s this season.

It was a very successful season for the Year 10s with the 10A team overcoming several long term injuries to place 2nd while the 10B and 10C teams both won their divisions. The crowning moment for the 10s was seeing two of their own, Aidan Mansul (debut) and Owen Moreira, start for the 1st XI in the premiership match and put in top draw performances. Thank you to Mr AJ Gray (Technology Teacher and Year 10 Coordinator) for his work with the 10s this season.

The Opens section had seven teams and over 100 boys representing the College which is fantastic to see in their final years at Marist. The 1st XI and 6th XI both had undefeated seasons with the 1st and 2nd XI winning their respective divisions. Thank you to Ms Kathryn Badini (Curriculum Leader - Senior and Opens Coordinator) for her work with the Opens players this season.

Congratulations to the following teams who completed the AIC Football season undefeated: 1st XI; 6th XI; 10B; 10C; 8A; 6A; 6C Blue; 5B.

1st XI Football – Undefeated Premiers

Going into the final round of matches the 1st XI premiership was evenly poised with four teams still in contention. Marist and St Patrick’s sat joint top on 14 points with Padua and St Laurence’s on 12 points. With several key players ruled out it was going to require a true team performance from the whole squad. There was a brilliant crowd passionately supporting both teams and after a tense start to the match the Marist boys took the lead in the 38th minute as a pinpoint cross from Year 10 midfielder, Owen Moreira, was buried with a first-time volley from striker, Giacomo Calabrese. Midway through the 2nd half we were caught by a Padua counterattack that levelled the scores and swung the premiership back into St Pats hands – we needed to find a winning goal. Minutes later the ever-reliable Isaac Ortiz popped up with a clinical finish from the left wing to secure a 2-1 victory and ensure the premiership trophy was heading back to Ashgrove. The 1st XI finish their AIC season as undefeated shared premiers with a record of five wins and two draws.

Congratulations to the whole squad and especially the Year 12 players who have made a tremendous contribution to the Marist Football program: Kian Malton, Kian Flynn, Aidan Warbrooke, Michael Cule, Remi de Nino, Tyler Fergusson, Charlie Garton, Isaac Ortiz, Finlay Keogan and James Woolaston.

The teams focus now shifts to the Uhlsport Cup as they look to secure 1st place in their group with a match against The Gap State High School on Wednesday 18th June (4pm KO on Cameron Oval).

Thank You

I wanted to say a big thank you to all players, families, coaches, coordinators, referees, supporters, grounds staff, medics and the many other people that go into making AIC Football a reality. It’s a huge effort by a wide range of people to ensure our Marist boys can play the sport they love with their mates. The Marist Football program grew by around 10% this year with over 540 boys across 40 teams donning the Blue and Gold on the Football fields.

It has been a year of significant change in the Football program – it’s my first year as the coordinator, we’ve had five new year level coordinators who have been brilliant additions to the program and a large number of new coaches. We have all learnt a lot and there will be many tweaks and additions to the program as we begin planning for a bigger and better 2026.

Enjoy having your Saturday mornings back and thanks again for all your support this season!

Social Media

Thank to our Marketing and Photography team that do a wonderful job capturing photos of the boy each week. Please head over to the Marist College Sport Instagram page to see photos from the weekends matches as well as our Team and Coaches of the Week! @marist_ashgrove_sports.

Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Inter-House Track and Field Carnival | Week 9

The Inter-House Track and Field Carnival is the largest school sporting event in 2025.

It promises to be an incredible day full of colour, fun, and competition. With a combination of championship events and novelty activities, there is something for every student to enjoy and take part in.

Pre-events will be held from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 June, with the main carnival taking place this Friday.

Ignatius House, the 2024 champions, will be looking to go back-to-back this year, and with every point counting, all students are encouraged to get involved and give their best.

Marist Track and Field | Term 3

The Track and Field season will officially start on Monday 14 July.

For those students available to begin training, please join the Track and Field coaches for a training session, followed by a BBQ. This is a great way to start the Track and Field program, and brings together students from all year levels along with our wonderful coaching group.

See the Track and Field notification in Parent Orbit for the Key Dates Calendar.

Marist Track and Field | Sign On

Please go to Parent Orbit and see information regarding sign on. All students who wish to be involved in the Track and Field program are asked to sign up via the student café. Once your son/s have signed up all parents or caregivers MUST approve the signup via Parent Lounge and edit or update any medical details.

This assists the College in organising the appropriate number of coaching staff and to deliver the necessary resources.

NOTE – If your son isn’t registered, you will NOT receive any information via the Parent Orbit regarding the Track and Field program, including schedules and relevant information.

Sunday Sessions | Track and Field Training

This year, Marist College will be aiming to win its 11th successive Secondary AIC Track and Field Championship and its 5th successive Primary AIC Track and Field Championship. Achieving this success requires planning, commitment, and effort across the entire year.

At this early stage, the training focus is on Sprints, Hurdles, Throws, and Jump Plyometrics.

For all students wishing to train, Mr Rob Martin will continue running his Sunday training sessions. Please see the details below:

INCLUDED: Running – sprints and jumps / Throws – early pre-season fitness and cross training, along with throwing.

WHEN: Sunday afternoons

WHERE: Hayden Oval

TIME: 3:15-4:45pm

DRESS: Marist sport shirt, Marist sports shorts, white or blue socks.

Marist Track and Field – Social Media

@marist_ashgrove_sports

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

Tennis

Mr Andrew Ward - Director of Tennis

Welcome to Week 9

As we wrap up our trial period, it’s important to remember: the more you attend, the more we see what you bring to the court. With teams looking increasingly settled ahead of the holidays, selections will be announced in the first week of Term 3, along with the Padua Trial Match team list played on Saturday 19 July.

Not selected? You’re still in the game.

All players who are not initially selected are invited to join our coaching sessions as part of the Shadow Team. These spots are your opportunity to continue improving and be ready to step in if the call comes. If your progress surpasses someone in the team, we won’t hesitate to reward your form—merit matters.

Representative Tennis

A big congratulations to Chase Richardson (5th) and Leo Scuderi (7th), who represented Marist with distinction at Met North trials. From over 200 competitors, finishing inside the Top 8 is no small feat. As first and third reserves for the State Finals in Cairns, they’re knocking on the door of Queensland selection.

We’re proud of you both—and this is just the beginning. With consistent training and sharper swings, who knows how far you’ll go.

Super League News

We entered 5 teams - 2 made the finals. That’s something to celebrate.

Division 3 Finalists: Indy Headrick and Tommy Revis narrowly missed the win in a tense final. Their effort and growth have been incredible, and we’re excited to see them transfer this form into AIC play.

Champions – Super Reserve Division: Oscar White and Henry Lambley dominated their final to become champions, justifying their #1 seed. Outstanding result after a year of hard work - well deserved!

Marist is entering 4 teams in the next Super League & Super Grade competition. The new squads are set and ready to fly the flag again.

Marist Doubles Tournament this Thursday and Friday 19th and 20th June.

3.30- approx. 7.30

It's time to team up and test your chemistry on court. Both Primary and Open Doubles will be contested this week Free sausage sizzle for all entrants.

To enter: Send you and your partner's names to mcatennis@marash.qld.edu.au by 1 PM Thursday.

The champions’ names will be etched into Marist history on our Perpetual Trophies—so bring your A-game.

To Enter:

Name of you and your partner to mcatennis@marash.qld.edu.au

Good luck and may the best team be remembered forever on our perpetual trophies.

These sessions will remain consistent each week through to the end of Week 9:

Monday: Year 7 | 6:45–8:15 AM one left

Tuesday: Year 8 | 6:45–8:15 AM

Wednesday: Year 10 | 6:45–8:15 AM

Thursday: Year 5 | 6:45–8:15 AM

Friday: Year 6 | 6:45–8:15 AM

Year 9 | 3:30–5:00 PM

Representing Marist in tennis is both an honour and a challenge. Bring your commitment, enthusiasm, and best effort—we look forward to seeing you on court.

Wilson Merchandise

Just a reminder that we have all racquets in stock now and remember that our members get the best prices in Brisbane.

We can get in through the shop anything that Wilson offers from all their latest range of racquets , shoes, and strings.

Please contact us if you need any assistance.

0437 449 523 or mcatennis@marash.qld.edu.au

Upcoming Events

June

Marist Open Doubles & Primary Doubles Championships ( end of next week )

Thursday 19 & Friday 20 June | 3:30 – 7:30 PM

Mid-Year Holiday Camp

Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 July | 8:00 – 11:00 AM

Focused training sessions to keep players sharp over the break

Term 3 Key Dates

Monday 14 July: AIC Training Begins (pupil-free day)

Monday 11 & Tuesday 12 August:

Marist Open & Primary Singles Championships | 3:30 – 7:30 PM

Includes sausage sizzle for all players

Tuesday 16 September: AIC Break-Up Party | 3:30 – 6:00 PM

A relaxed afternoon of celebration, games, and a few friendly rematches

September Holiday Camp

Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 September | 8:00 – 11:00 AM

Match play, drills, and plenty of fun before Term 4 begins

Term 4 Key Dates

Tuesday 7 October: Coaching resumes (pupil-free day)

Sunday 23 November: Parent-Son Tournament & Christmas Break-Up | 2:00 – 6:00 PM

BBQ from 5:00 PM—a relaxed afternoon to celebrate a great year

Christmas & New Year Holiday Camps

All camps run 8:00 – 11:00 AM

15–17 December

22–24 December

12–14 January

19–21 January

Ideal for players wanting to stay sharp and start 2026 in strong form.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Monday 2 February: Term 1 coaching begins

Let’s continue to build momentum, support one another, and enjoy everything the Marist Tennis program has to offer.