We are well over the halfway mark on the season, with three rounds to go for the team sports and our first AIC meet for track and field this week. It continues to impress and amaze me how Marist boys get involved, take pride in their College and perform to their best on a regular basis. The commitment and dedication that the boys show week in and week out are sure to set them up for life.

Our rugby league boys are showing real determination and passion each week, led by Mr Ryan Apps as Co-ordinator, Mr Dallas Williams as head coach and a strong coaching group of staff and external coaches. There has been steady and clear improvement week on week for these boys and they will be aiming for finish hard over the next few weeks.

Our track and field team continues to work hard as they prepare for their big day in week 1 of next term. This is a huge operation, one that Marist prides itself on, and is led magnificently by Old Boy and staff member, Mr Richard Graham and Old Boy and current parent, Mr Robin Martin, supported by a team of dedicated staff and external coaches who work hard to help the boys improve their technical and physical performance. Good luck to the 78 boys competing at Met North trials this week and the first AIC lead-up meet this Thursday.

Our tennis program continues to go from strength to strength with our 1st IV around the top of the table with a terrific win against Iona and a loss to St Peter's. Well done to Head Coach Mr Andrew Ward for the clear improvement over the last two years.

Basketball continues to grow and develop with our overall results on the improvement year on year for the last few years. This is a testament to the commitment of our basketball community, led by Mr John Lambourne. The 1st V, coached by Mr James Lidstone, have been very gusty and brave, with some great wins and some tough losses, and no one could question the dedication, passion or commitment of the boys and staff and I am sure they will finish strongly as a reward for their efforts.

Good luck to our hockey team, who this Friday playoff for the Brisbane Schoolboys Hockey Cup. Despite losing to St Edmund’s College in the group stage, we go into the rematch confident after back-to-back strong performances and we know the boys will give a good account of themselves. Thanks to Ms Kathryn Badini for her leadership and passion for Marist hockey.

Hockey

Ms Kathryn Badini - Hockey Coordinator

The Hockey boys have been hard training for their Grand Final against St Edmund’s College this Friday, 4:15pm at the State Hockey Centre. Any student who would like to come along to support the team can email Ms Badini at badinik@marash.qld.edu.au.

It should be a great game!

Student Achievements

A reminder to email sports@marash.qld.edu.au if you have any positive news about student achievements in sport. Official notification from Met North and QSSS is only done at specific times throughout the year and we like to recognise our student achievements in a timely manner, close to the event. Please include a photo if you can. This includes club/non-school sport achievements. As this is also recorded in the Blue and Gold emails should come from parents only please. A few sentences of information is also well received.

Football: Hunter Chan-Riotto

Congratulations to Hunter Chan-Riotto who represented Met North at the recent Queensland School Sport state under 12 football championships in Cairns. Difficult weather conditions made it challenging but Hunter enjoyed the experience and comes back a better footballer.

Esports

The sign-up for Esports will open at 8:00am this Friday 25 August using the normal sign-up process. The successful boys will be contacted. If you nominate you must be available to play on Saturday Only Year 7-9 students can nominate, with preference given to Year 9 students if oversubscribed. For any questions please contact Ms Justine Natoli.

AIC Code of Conduct

The AIC is a wonderful sporting and cultural competition of a collection of Southeast Queensland schools of similar Christian faith and values. The objective of the AIC is to provide healthy sporting opportunities for students as a part of the broader education of our students.

It is important from time to time to remind ourselves of the expectations of staff, officials, students and spectators. If anyone has concerns about the expectations, please feel free to contact the sports office.

General Behaviour

a) Healthy, vigorous exercise; scrupulous regard for the spirit of the rules of the game; a willingness to submit to disciplined training; and the cultivation of a generous sportsmanship, should be the goals of AIC sports.

b) The Host School has the right to expect both visitors and members of its own community will adhere to its own particular customs and practices.

c) The competition tables should not be regarded as the sole reason for competing.

d) Schools should ensure that players compete in their correct age group and that they adhere to the General Association Rules and By Laws for various sports.

e) Racial abuse or any other form of harassment will under no circumstances be tolerated by AIC. Players should be given no more than one warning before being sent off and reported to the school. Spectators likewise should be reported and asked to leave the sideline if guilty of racial abuse.

Behaviour and Example of Coaches

a) Under no circumstances is there to be deliberate bending of the General Association Rules and By Laws for the various sports.

b) Coaches should encourage teams and/or individual players to be punctual in coming onto the field or reporting to the designated officials both before and during the matches.

c) Coaching from the sideline or inside the arena by anyone is not to be allowed.

d) Coaches must accept the decisions and umpires. This does not preclude rational clarification of decisions at a subsequent time.

e) The following are to be discouraged:

Time-wasting and time-wasting actions
Unsportsmanlike behaviour
Deliberate coaching of illegal tactics
Sledging
Dissent
Foul language
Foul play

Standards required by Referees

a) As an Association we demand a certain standard of behaviour and dress from our players. Similar standards are expected of referees and umpires.

b) Appropriate signals for the conduct of the sport should be adhered to at all times, as clear signalling is beneficial to the game.

c) It is expected that referees and umpires should meet the required standards of qualifications in order to officiate.

d) The criteria for appointment of referees and umpires as laid down in the various By Laws should be adhered to.

Conduct of Players

a) A high standard of conduct is expected at all times, both on and off the field.

b) Each and every player should be an example of what a sportsman should be, including an appreciation of good play and an acceptance of the mistakes made by fellow players.

c) The game should be played hard, but never unfairly.

d) Ill temper or spite should never be shown; assistance for opponents when it appears desirable should be given.

e) The meeting of opposing coach and captain by opposite numbers is to be commended.

f) Congratulations, thanks or cheers appropriate to the game, by the captain and/or players is to be encouraged.

g) The orders or instructions of the umpire, referee or designated official should be obeyed quickly, and any decisions, however unfavourable, should be accepted without question.

h) The use of drugs, including painkillers, to improve or maintain the performance of any individual player, or group of players, is strictly forbidden.

5. Conduct of Spectators

a) Good play by either side should be acknowledged by spectators in the appropriate manner. This can encourage players and help them to lift their game as the match or contest progresses. Unwise or fanatical barracking can make a players perform foolish actions in his play, or incite him to foul play, which is not to be condoned.

b) The Head of College has the legal right to remove any person or persons who do not conform to the acceptable standards of behaviour as laid down by his school.

c) Consumption of alcohol by spectators during the conduct of a match or contest is not permitted.

d) Referees or umpires are not to be approached by spectators at any time before, during or after a match.

e) Cheering and supporting one’s own team is recognised as part of the conduct of the game and, provided this barracking is within the requirements of the By Laws (with respect to Athletics and Swimming), it is to be encouraged. However, negative barracking against another school is not acceptable, and should be discouraged.

f) While the Host School should make every endeavour to provide for the disposal of rubbish, all should make every effort not to litter any parts of the playing fields and/or grounds.

Marist Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Met North Regional Trials and AIC Meets

Congratulations to our students participating in the Met North Track and Field Regional Trials today and tomorrow. We again extend our best wishes to each student attending.

As the competition for places in the Marist Track and Field team heats up, it is essential to acknowledge that Met North results represent one aspect of selection for the AIC Championship meet in Week 1, Term 4.

With a series of four AIC practice meets scheduled at QSAC this term, opportunities remain open for students to further develop and excel throughout the season. As our students continue to train and improve, spots for the AIC Championship will continue to remain open. We encourage all students to participate in the AIC practice meets and contribute to the team's success on a broader stage.

The AIC practice meets are listed in the Key Dates Calendar on the Marist app, with the first meet Thursday 24 August.

Week 7 – Track and Field Training Schedule

Due to a busy schedule with Met North Trials (Tuesday and Wednesday), and the first AIC Practice Meet this Thursday evening, the training schedule has been adjusted as follows -

** NORMAL TRAINING CONTINUING **(i) Sunday, Monday and Wednesday training - remains as per normal 3:15 - 4:45pm (Meet at McMahon Oval) ** CANCELLED - THIS WEEK 22/23 August **(ii) Long Jump / Hurdles (Primary) - Tuesday morning cancelled this week due to Met North / AIC Meet #1(ii) Hurdles (Seniors) - Wednesday morning cancelled this week due to Met North / AIC Meet #1 As the approach a four-week run of Track and Field competition meets, your presence becomes important. Attending these events allows our coaches to assess and identify all students who are competing for places at the AIC Championship.

If circumstances prevent your attendance, I encourage you to communicate directly with Mr. Richard Graham (Years 7-12), Mr John Lambourne (Years 5-6), or Mr Rob Martin.

Track and Field Key Dates Calendar

Could I please ask parents and students to look over the Key Dates Calendar in the Marist app? Important to note some of the AIC practice meets and Met North carnival coming up in August, the invitation Track and Field camp at the start of the September holidays, and the September holiday meets.

More information will be posted on the Marist app at a time closer to each event.

Track and Field Uniform

A reminder that the DRESS CODE for all T&F training sessions is as per the 2023 Track and Field Handbook. MCA sports shirts / Marist T&F singlet, Marist sports shorts, and white or blue socks.For competitive events including Internal Mini Meets, the DRESS CODE is as per the 2023 Track and Field Handbook. Marist T&F singlet, Marist sports shorts, and white or blue socks.It is important we get this right now as we have a mini meet this Friday afternoon here at the College, and we will be competing in the AIC Championship AS A TEAM wearing this uniform.

Track and Field Handbook

Please see the Marist app for the 2023 Track and Field Handbook.

The Handbook includes the relevant Track and Field information for students and parents/guardians. If you have any further questions, please contact Mr Richard Graham.

Rugby League

Mr Ryan Apps - Rugby League Coordinator

I trust that everyone thoroughly enjoyed their two weekends off. Now, we eagerly anticipate our last three AIC Rugby League matches.

This upcoming weekend, it's MCA vs. St. Patrick's College. Our primary school teams will be competing at the Padua playing fields, while our secondary teams are set to face off at St. Edmunds. Our dedicated coaches are prepping the teams for this crucial phase of the season. We're certainly aiming for a robust performance in these rounds. Our junior teams continue to hone their Rugby League skills and understanding, while our secondary squads are fiercely contending for their spots on the AIC ladder.

Best of luck to all our teams this weekend. A heartfelt thank you to our coaches and support staff for their unwavering commitment and effort.

Tennis

Mr Andrew Ward - Director of Tennis

What a week of tennis we have had especially with the completion of this year’s “Marist Open Singles Championships” on Tuesday afternoon.

Not only were all the boys fed with a sausage sizzle we got to enjoy the quality matches with some very interesting semi-final lineups with all the current 1st IV team making it through.

Semi 1: Fletcher Wessling v Eddie Price.

Semi 2: Hamish Davidson v Henry Lambley.

Both matches were a straight 1 tie break-set to see who the finalists would be. Eddie won the first semi 6-4 in a highly entertaining and close match. Hamish won 7-6 in an even tighter match against Henry with a very close tiebreaker which could have gone either way.

Our final to be a best of 3 sets was a very tough fight with either boy budging, but Hamish with consistent play and determination, won the first set 6-4.

Midway through the second set, the rain came but after a small delay, we continued with relentless pressure from Hamish winning the match in straight sets to be crowned our 2023 Singles Champion. Please congratulate Hamish if you see him as he has beaten some really good players to achieve this.

Congratulations from all the team here at MCA Tennis we know you have been working hard on improving your game.

Our Division 2 winner was, Andrew Woodward in our repechage tournament defeating Ben Mead in the final.

I would also like to thank all students who participated in this year’s event.

Term 4 Coaching

We will be very shortly taking bookings for term 4 in both our squad program and group lessons. We are looking to have this all automated this term with bookings all done online and also squad members will be able to book their private times and coach that they would like to be coached by.

A reminder that the Primary tournaments will be held on Monday and Tuesday straight after school on 11 September for Singles and 12 September for Doubles. We are hoping to be wrapped up before 7:00pm. We are taking bookings now for both tournaments.

Breakup Party

Wednesday 13 September will be the breakup party for all AIC players. This will start at 3:30pm and finish at 5:30pm. For all bookings and enquiries please email us at: MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au or call me on ph: 0437 449 523.

Round 5 Draws

Basketball

Rugby League

Tennis

From Your P&F

Sports Canteen - Saturday 26 August