Sport News

Last Saturday saw Marist host Padua College in a big home day at Ashgrove. We started with a bang on Friday night with a great win to the 1st IV chess, along with another dominant set of results from the open teams. On Saturday, while not as dominant in football as we had been the week before we still came out in front with 15 wins and 13 losses. Marist dominated the secondary school matches winning 12 and losing 7 and Padua showed their depth in primary taking 6 wins to our 3. The 1st XI had a scrappy win by a goal to nil in a contest where we were rarely threatened but could not quite finish off a gallant opponent after an early goal. In rugby, we had a very strong day with 25 wins and 4 losses overall, though Padua were deserving of their win in the 1st XV as they were clinical and got points when the opportunities presented.

This week we travel across the river to face Iona in our first away round of the season. Iona won the football premiership and the rugby aggregate last year so will provide a stern challenge for us over in Wynnum.

We held our Inter-house Cross Country Championships last week. My thanks go to Mr Matt Millward and Mr Corey Robinson from the sports department for your organisation and running of the day, and Mr Brendan Kiernan and Harold House for their work as the event hosts. Well done to all students who competed, the results will be announced at assembly.

We also have our first AIC lead-up meet for cross country this week at Sherwood Arboretum as we run into the AIC cross country championships in a months’ time. This event will provide a great opportunity to get competitive racing into the boys who have been working hard for months now in preparation for the season. Thank you to Mr Mitch Reid and Mr Marcus Schrader for your leadership of the Cross Country Program.

The long weekends, of which we have had virtually two in a row with Anzac Day and Labour Day, and will have two in a row at this stage next year, present a real challenge to Marist and the AIC as a whole. You would have noticed a number of draw changes throughout the week last week as schools recognised they were going to struggle to fill their committed teams due to boys being unavailable for the long weekend. This is a real challenge for us as an association. I recognise the opportunity for families to spend quality time and get away for the last 3-day break while the sun still has some bit in it, but it starts to make significant challenges to the organisation of the draw, and across the eight schools, the integrity and the sustainability of the competition. The expectation of the college is that if a boy commits to playing a season of sport that he honours that commitment each and every week throughout the season.   

Football

Mr Derek Lennon (Football Coordinator)

The 1st XI backed up their strong win in round one with a victory over Brisbane Boys College in the Uhlsport Cup at Miskin Oval, Toowong on Thursday afternoon. Over the last two years we have played a number of GPS schools in pre-season and cup matches in an effort to test and challenge our boys. Each time we have played them we have improved and this season it would be fair to say the gap has closed significantly. The boys backed up a heavy week with a 1-nil win at home against Padua to start the season with two straight wins in a great start for the team. Thank you to the parents of the 1sts who put on afternoon tea for both teams post-match. The quality and quantity of the food was very much appreciated by the boys and staff of both colleges. This week we travel to Iona who were the standout team in 2023 so this will prove a stern challenge for the coaches and team.

Overall, we just shaded the day against Padua, who have a growing football program, with significant depth, especially in the younger years. It was good to see some determination and grit shown by our boys, highlighted by the 10As who were 3-1 down against a good side and never gave in, fighting back to earn a well-deserved point. 

Team of the week this week goes to:

7th XI: Mr Serone’s Super 7ths travelled to Runcorn to take on Lauries 6ths and put on a fine performance, winning 7-1 in a game played in terrific spirit.

2nd XI: The seconds, coached by Mr Sim, look the goods, backing up their 7-0 from round 1 with another big win 4-0 against Padua.

The 7Ds bucked the trend of losses in Year 7 with an emphatic 5-nil win to rebalance the for and against.

In the primary teams the best results were the 5D Black, who beat Padua’s 5 Gold 12-1 and the 5C team who beat Padua’s 5Cs 9-nil.

Please check the draw carefully as we have a number of matches at different venues again this week.

Marist Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Super Saturday – June 1st

Saturday 1 June is this year’s biggest sporting event. 

Marist College vs St Laurence’s College in 30+ games of rugby union. 

Old Boys’ Day

Reunion Day

Boarding Family Day

Celebrations, prizes, giveaways, supporter’s bar...

... all together it creates Super Saturday!!

Round 2 vs Padua College

It was great to see everyone on Saturday of the long weekend!

It was another fantastic day at Marist for all the secondary school teams. The College hosted four different opponents – Padua College, Iona College, St Laurence’s College, and Villanova College. In what is a reasonably standard affair for our students, this ensured everyone had the opportunity to play a game of rugby on the weekend.

The Des Connor fields were buzzing from 7:30am whilst Hayden Oval and McMahon Oval had games running from nine o’clock in the morning. Our Years 5 and 6 teams were hosted by Padua College and the students had an enjoyable and successful day at Banyo.

Congratulations to the students for the wins they had on the weekend, but more importantly for the manner in which they played their games. The mateship and teamwork were evident across all year levels. 

Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 teams for their performances at Banyo. The 6A’s continued their strong start to the season, and the 6B and 6C teams were involved in a 3-way game against Padua 6B’s. 

After a disrupted week due to camp, the Year 5 teams had a clean sweep. Congratulations to the coaches and the students for their efforts on the weekend. All reports are our youngest bumblebees have enjoyed their start to the Marist rugby program and have transferred their training in performance.

Whilst the 7A’s had a tough day going down 17-5, the Year 7 group had another successful day. Congratulations to all the students for their efforts and it was wonderful to see so many people on Des Connor Field 7 and 8 early to cheer them on. Well done to the mighty 7E team for beating SLC 7D’s 28-0!

The Year 8A-C teams had a successful day with some outstanding performances across the three teams. The 8D and 8E teams were forced into a 3-way with Iona 8C’s in another effort to ensure our students all played rugby. Congratulations to both teams for their efforts!

The Year 9 cohort also had a successful day. I was down on Des Connor looking after the 9C and 9D teams for the day, and both teams played some exceptional rugby. Congratulations to both teams and their regular coaches for the work that is going into training each week.

The 10 A and 10B teams bounced back after a loss in Round 1. Some excellent rugby wrapped inside a willingness to compete, go effort on effort, and play physical attacking were improvements on the week before. Well done! The remaining Year 10 teams were also successful and a shout out to the 10E team who faced SPC 10B’s and came away victors 22-14.

The Opens cohort had a bumpy day. Losses to the 1st XV and 3rd XV against Padua, and a loss for the 7th XV against Iona 6th XV. Under dark clouds and showers of rain, congratulations to the remaining teams for some fantastic running rugby and importantly enjoying it at the same time.

Thanks to our outstanding coordinators and coaching staff for again preparing the boys well for AIC Round 2. After a rushed four-day week leading into Round 1, it was nice to have a longer week to review and go again. Our coaches did a superb job and the students will take a lot of confidence into our first away game this season. 

Livestream

Follow all the 1st XV action on the livestream through the Rugby Xplorer App. Games can also be accessed via https://aictv.com.au or https://www.rugby.com.au/videos 

Marist Rugby vs Iona College (Round 3)

AIC Round 3 is hosted by Iona College this Saturday.

The Year 9-12 levels will be away at Iona College whilst the Year 5- 8 levels here at Ashgrove. Please make sure you check the Marist app for this weekend’s schedule as there are a number of exceptions. 

Please note that all students are to arrive at least 45 minutes before their games unless instructed otherwise by your coach. Arrive in Marist rugby playing gear (no thongs or Birkenstocks).

Teams for this weekend will be announced Friday morning.

Rugby Union Training – Term 2

Please ensure you check the Marist app for the Year level training sessions scheduled in Term 2. 

Additionally, refer to the Rugby Union Key Dates Calendar and AIC Draw in the Marist app for information on all games throughout the season.

Thank you to the GPS Rugby Union club for generously allowing our Year 10 cohort to train on their grounds. This has provided us with more field space, enhancing the overall training experience for our students. We are grateful for our strong connection with Jeeps and appreciate the opportunity to be part of the wider rugby community.

Student Unavailability – Commitment and Communication

I want to remind each of the students about the significance of the commitments you've made to your teammates and coaches. Attending all training sessions and games is not a suggestion, it's a commitment. Whilst I understand that genuine reasons that prevent you from attending may arise, in such cases, it's crucial that you communicate promptly.

It is your responsibility to email your respective year level coordinator. You can find their contact details listed on the Marist app. Failing to communicate effectively disrupts the coach's planning and compromises the quality of team training.

If you have any questions, email Mr Richard Graham - Director of Rugby / Track and Field or see him in the Sports Office behind Room 108.

Student Dress

Whilst this is a relatively small problem, I want to remind all students of the dress code to games and during games.

Students travelling to games are to wear their Marist College Ashgrove rugby union uniform.  During games, students are to wear their full Marist College Ashgrove rugby union uniform including rugby socks. 

Marist Rugby Union – Social Media 

@marist_ashgrove_rugby

In 2024, the College continues to deliver 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 is 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 Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Marist Track and Field – Sign On is open

This year Marist College are looking to win its 10th successive AIC Championship. Students wishing to be part of that unprecedented challenge, please sign on for Track and Field via Students Café. 

Marist Track and Field – Sunday Sessions

This year, Marist College will be looking to win its’ 10th successive AIC Track and Field Championship. To be successful, a lot of planning, commitment and effort goes into the program across the calendar year.

For all students wanting to train, Mr Rob Martin will continue to run his usual Sunday sessions. Please see below details - 

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.

Follow us and stay up-to-date with Marist Track and Field on Instagram - @marist_ashgrove_sports

Tennis

Director of Tennis - Mr Andrew Ward

Greetings, fellow court enthusiasts! Prepare yourselves for a riveting update on the court resurfacing saga. Drumroll, please! We're nearing the finish line, folks. The courts are getting their much-needed facelift, with only court six's lines left to paint. Ah, but hold your horses! Painting with this particular potion—I mean, paint—requires the perfect weather dance. One wrong move, and poof! Your hard work evaporates faster than water on a hot skillet.

Picture this: every day, a high-stakes gamble unfolds as we weigh the risk of rain ruining our freshly painted canvas. It's like a high-octane thriller, but with brushes instead of bullets. If the temperature isn't just right, well, let's just say our concrete canvas won't set properly. Too cold, and it's as firm as a bowl of milk. Too hot, and it's like trying to spread hardened peanut butter on a hot slice of toast. I've become quite the connoisseur of court painting drama over the past month, I must say.

Now, onto brighter news! Let's raise our racquets to celebrate the triumph of our young tennis prodigies at the Met North trials. Sam Martin, Cormac Gannon, Rhys Adams, Harry Fowler, and our crowned champion, Darcy White, you've done us proud! Darcy, consider this your official crown-fitting ceremony. Bravo!

In Brisbane and Super League news, alas, Mother Nature had other plans, raining on our parade—quite literally. Saturday's matches were a washout, leaving us all high and dry. Fear not, dear players, for the sun shall shine again on our courts!

Attention, aspiring tennis stars! The AIC trials are in full swing. Opens trials are like a weekly showcase of athleticism and ambition, where dreams are served with a side of sweat. As for the rest of you, mark your calendars for Week 6. Your time to shine approaches, and we eagerly await your courtly conquests.

We will also be holding an AIC clinic for boys selected to represent their year level during the holidays. These will run from Monday to Wednesday 24 – 26 June and 1 – 3 July from 1:00pm–4:00pm. AIC team selected boys only. Cost is $20.00 per day. This will also be capped at the first 24 students who take up this offer.

We will also be holding Holiday clinics for students who are not away on holidays and want to do something fun with games and prizes.  These are for any student from Marist or surrounding schools who wish to participate.  So, get your friends together for some fun. These will run Monday – Wednesday in both weeks from 8:00am-11:00am.

For booking please reference, Clinic 1: 24-26 June and Clinic 2: 1– 3 July. Cost is $150 for three days or $60 per day.

Ah, coaching! A noble pursuit, indeed. Due to the whims of public holidays, fret not if you've missed a lesson. Jade stands ready to orchestrate your triumphant return to the court, Week 10 is the week for these even though school finishes on Tuesday that week, we will be there Wednesday and Thursday and lessons can be booked anytime on those two days to cater for these lessons. If this does not suit Jade will look to book these for you in the holidays at your convenience.

For all your inquiries and courtly curiosities, remember: MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au is your beacon of knowledge. Until next time, may your serves be swift and your volleys victorious. Thank you all, and may the court be with you!