Sport News

Last weekend saw Villanova College host the trial round, however we still had a significant number of games played here at the College. Given the change of routine with Anzac Day celebrations, and a wet and windy afternoon, the performances across the board were pleasing. Friday afternoon saw our chess community get underway, along with a number of internal rugby union and football games.

If students are still interested in joining a sport for Term 2, I would encourage them to contact the coordinator of each activity:

Chess – Mr Tim Humphry humphyt@marash.qld.edu.au

Football – Mr Blair Whitlock whitlockb@marash.qld.edu.au

Rugby Union – Mr Richard Graham grahamr@marash.qld.edu.au

Cross Country – Mr Matt Millward millwardm@marash.qld.edu.au

This weekend we are away to Iona College, with the seniors (Years 9-12) at Iona and the juniors (Years 5-8) here at Ashgrove. Please read the draw carefully as we now enter the AIC season.

Good luck to all teams this weekend!

A Call Out to Chess Players

If you enjoy chess or are looking for a new challenge, we encourage you to get involved in a team participating in the AIC Chess competition this term.

Chess is a fantastic activity that develops critical thinking, problem-solving, patience and strategic awareness. It also provides a great opportunity to be part of a team environment, representing the College alongside your mates and peers.

In Term 2, over 1400 students are involved in an AIC activity, and being part of this is a great way to connect with others and contribute to the strong sense of community at Marist.

TRAINING SESSIONS: Monday 3:15pm, Room 403

COMPETITIONS: Friday afternoon

We would love to see as many students as possible take up this opportunity.

Concussion

The College and the AIC sees student welfare as its highest priority.

Head injury and concussion are topical in sport at the moment as sports across the globe deal with this component of athlete welfare. Prevention is always better than cure and to that extent, the College sports continue to work together to improve the technical capabilities of our students. Alongside this, for a number of years now, the College has employed a paramedic each Saturday to oversee our medical processes and ensure the best attention is provided to our students.

To ensure player welfare, the Australian Institute of Sport and most major codes across the country have significant stand down periods and return to play protocols. The College strongly supports these protocols and are aligned with these national policies. The Marist policy is any student who has suffered a suspected concussion is stood down for 20 days post injury and we execute, alongside the families, our Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) process, which, if the student remains symptom free, will see him return to the field 20 days after the initial blow. It is important to note that once a medical practitioner has documented a suspected concussion it is to be treated as a concussion. This cannot be overturned by a GP. We appreciate the support of all our families as we work with you to manage the welfare of our boys and their long-term health.

Team selections - Rugby and Football

I thought it important to share with you the challenge our coaches and co-ordinators are face in trying to organise boys into teams in the short turnaround from Term 1. The College will field an impressive 1200 students each weekend, which when broken down looks something like 70 and 130 boys to be selected into positions for anywhere between four and ten teams per year level in rugby and football.

This is a huge task for the staff, all of whom are either teachers coaching on top of teaching duties, external coaches with full-time jobs to manage and young old boys with limited coaching experience.

We are by far the largest sporting program in the AIC and I can assure the Marist community that all our coaches are doing their best to sort out our teams and prepare the players for AIC Round 1.

Sportsmanship

The mission for the AIC is to provide well-organised competitions in sport and other activities that foster participant engagement and pride in communities in a holistic Christian context. Our students, staff and families (both past and present) will nurture spiritual, moral, emotional, intellectual, physical, and social development through respectful and compassionate relationships in a safe environment. It is important that staff, players and spectators are aware of their obligations to maintain a positive environment through healthy friendly competition.

All Marist players and coaches are expected to maintain the values and expectations of the College. This includes but is not limited to:

Following the instructions and decision of officials without question or contempt.
Respecting opponents and officials, and shaking hands at the conclusion of the match, regardless of the result.
Wearing our Marist uniform correctly and with pride.

Spectating

Boys coming along to watch matches are required to wear their winter uniform. Boys who have played earlier in the day and are staying behind to watch matches are required to change into their winter uniform. All boys should be in correct school uniform.

Playing Uniform

All players must be in the correct Marist playing uniform for the sport. Other Marist apparel, including training shirts, are not acceptable. The uniform has all items required for sale. If the shop is sold out of a required size, please contact the relevant year co-ordinator in advance to request permission to play. Coaches will not let players play in wrong uniform unless approved in advance.

Absences from Training and Matches

When committing to play a sport for a season it is the College expectation that the activity will be given the highest priority. Absences from training and games lets down your coaches, your team mates and your college. From time-to-time absences are unavoidable with illness and significant family events and we understand these. However, clear communication, with as much notice as possible is required. Boys in Years 8-12 should take responsibility for communicating this themselves by emailing their coach and year co-ordinator explaining why they are absent from training or a game.

Wet Weather Procedure

Our aim is to train wherever possible and we will only cancel training and games if it is dangerous, such as lightning or water pooling on fields, or if it has been consistently raining and the fields are showing significant wear and tear.

Cancellations are communicated via Parent Orbit. It is important that families have notifications turned on to receive notices around changes to training, especially morning sessions where time is of the essence.

Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Rugby Union Training and Trials | Week 1 vs Villanova

After a disrupted end to Term 1 with the wet weather, it was wonderful to see all of our teams back playing training and playing rugby union. A big thank you to our coordinators and coaches for their work across the week, including Anzac Day celebrations, to finalise teams and prepare all our students for the full school trial fixture against Villanova College on Saturday.

Thanks also to our grounds staff who have worked hard to get the fields in such good conditions for the AIC season.

Finally, thank you to all of our teams for the manner in which you approached the final round of trial games. Marist is renowned for our physical attacking rugby, and it was fantastic to see the quality of catch-pass, tackle technique, and other skills transfer so clearly from our Rugby Ready Program and the excellent work your coaches are doing.

Marist vs Iona College | AIC Round 1

Round 1 of the AIC Rugby Union season is away to Iona College. This means that the seniors (Years 9-12) will play their games at Iona College and the juniors (Years 5-8) here at Ashgrove. The College will likely play other schools also in order to ensure every student has the opportunity to take the field.

With matches likely spread across multiple venues and opponents, we ask all families to carefully check Parent Orbit and College emails for the most up-to-date information regarding this weekend’s schedule.

A sincere thank you to Mr Matt Millward in the Sports Administration Department for his outstanding coordination behind the scenes, and to Mr Eddie Wallace, AIC Executive Officer, for his continued support.

Team lists for Round 1 will be released on Friday morning.

Best of luck to all teams for another great weekend of rugby as they head into the AIC season.

Marist Rugby Union | Student Expectations

DRESS CODE:

Training

Appropriate Marist College clothing and footwear
Mouthguard and headgear (student’s choice)

Travel

Students travelling to games on the school bus or private transport are to wear their Marist College Ashgrove rugby uniform
Thongs / Birkenstock are not to be worn to games or whilst at the venue

Game

Wear the correct Marist College rugby uniform
Boots, mouthguard and headgear (student’s choice)
The Marist rugby uniform when you take the field is : JERSEY TUCKED IN and SOCKS PULLED UP!

ATTENDANCE:

Training starts at 6.45am for morning sessions and 3.30pm for afternoon sessions.
On time, in the right gear, ready to train!
Be punctual! Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to games unless your coach says otherwise.
Please DO NOT organise appointments during training times.
It is YOUR responsibility to notify your coach / Year level coordinator in advance if unable to attend a training session.

ATTITUDE and STANDARDS:

The game is to be enjoyed – go out and have fun with your teammates.
Be a good teammate – encourage and support your team.
Never argue with the referee's decision. Let your captain or coach ask any necessary questions.
Shake hands with your opponents at the completion of the match. This is to occur before any war cry or team celebrations.
After your war cry, form a tunnel and cheer the next Marist team onto the playing field (DO NOT touch players running through the tunnel).
ALL players are strongly encouraged to sit on ‘the bench’ for following game in their age group.
All students are strongly encouraged to stay behind and support the 1st XV.

Marist Rugby Union Year Level Coordinators – please contact your year level coordinator for all non-selection matters such as lateness, unavailability and timings.

Year Level Coordinator

Opens - Mr Peter Gaiter - gaiterp@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 10 - Mr Michael Abbott - abbottm@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 9 - Mrs Liz Walsh - walshe@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 8 - Mrs Sharon Davidson - davidsons@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 7 - Mr Damien Nelson - nelsond@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 6 - Mr John Lambourne - lambournej@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 5 - Ms Ella Graham - grahame@marash.qld.edu.au

Marist Rugby Union | Wet Weather Plan

Rugby Union training will rarely be called off due to bad weather. If rain is forecast, students are asked to place their school bags and formal hats under cover.

Parents dropping students at Des Connor Fields are asked to use the canteen end, where the gear shed and canteen balcony provide shelter.

Thank you for your support.

Marist Rugby Union | Correct Uniform

As parents continue to purchase clothing for Term 2, I would like to clarify the College’s expectations regarding the rugby union uniform.

The rugby union uniform is very clear and consists of the bumblebee jersey, Marist sports shorts, and Marist rugby union socks. There are to be no alterations made to any part of the rugby union uniform.

Thank you for your continued support.

Marist Rugby Union – Social Media

@marist_ashgrove_rugby

In 2025 the College consistently 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 program’s achievements, please follow our Instagram page @marist_ashgrove_rugby.

Football

Football Coordinator – Mr Blair Whitlock

Friday Internal Matches and Trial Round vs Villanova College

It was great to see plenty of internal competition on display on Friday afternoon as we took over all four Flats for matches. The games were all played in great spirit and I’m glad all players were still able to play a match despite Anzac Day falling on the Saturday this year.

Saturday marked the return of AIC Football as we laced up against Villanova College with the juniors (Years 5-8) at home and the seniors (Years 9-12) heading out to Tingalpa. It was a great day of Football in rainy conditions that tested our boys technically and tactically with many teams putting in their most cohesive performance to date. The day was capped off with a dominant 4-1 victory for the 1st XI as they prepare for Round One against Iona College this coming Saturday.

Bill Turner Cup Success

Congratulations to our Bill Turner Cup team that knocked last years finalists, Kelvin Grove State College, out last Tuesday with a 4-1 victory on Flat 6. The Bill Turner Cup is a U15 knockout competition with over 800 schools competing from right across Australia. The team is a combination of the strongest players from the 9A and 10A Football teams and the boys have drawn Churchie in the next round with the details of the match as follows:

Where – Churchie (Main Oval)

When – Thursday 7 May (4:00pm KO)

Good luck to our Bill Turner Cup team in the next round!

Weekly Draw Release

The weekend draw will be released on Tuesday afternoon each week via Parent Orbit, email and is also available on the sport tab of the Marist website. The Round 1 draw may be slightly delayed as we await final team nominations from several of our competitor schools.

Wet Weather and Cancellations

Any training cancellations due to wet weather will be communicated through the Parent Orbit App by 6:00am for morning trainings and 2:30pm for afternoon trainings. We have such a short Football season and training will only be cancelled if absolutely necessary.

Year Level Coordinators

Year 5 – Mr Blair Whitlock (whitlockb@marash.qld.edu.au)

Year 6 - Ms Sharon Davidson (davidsons@marash.qld.edu.au)

Year 7 – Mr Damian Volker (volkerd@marash.qld.edu.au)

Year 8 – Ms Maddie Henry (spannm@marash.qld.edu.au)

Year 9 – Mr Marcus Schrader (schraderm@marash.qld.edu.au)

Year 10 – Mr AJ Gray (graya@marash.qld.edu.au)

Opens – Ms Kathryn Badini (badinik@marash.qld.edu.au)

Football Registration

If any students have missed trials due to sickness/injury or have recently decided you would like to give Football a crack this term – please reach out to the Football Coordinator (whitlockb@marash.qld.edu.au) and we’ll see if there is a team available that is the right fit for you.

Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Marist Track and Field | Sunday Sessions

For those students wanting to get a head start or start the season strongly, Mr Rob Martin will continue to run his usual Sunday sessions. The Sunday sessions are an excellent introduction. We have some exceptional coaches leading these sessions, and creating an environment of learning and enjoyment. Some benefits include -1. Improvement in technique and speed.2. Technical development for throws.3. Improved repeat speed / conditioning.

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 | Sign On

Parents - please find the Extra-Curricular tile on Parent Orbit to find information regarding sign on. Students who wish to be involved in the Track and Field program, you are able to sign up via the student café. Once your son/s have signed up all parents or caregivers MUST approve the signup 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, and ensures all relevant information is forwarded to you via communication channels.

Marist Track and Field | Camp (SAVE THE DATE)

Following our success at the 2025 AIC Primary and Secondary Championship and win at the National Schools Challenge (Intermediate Division), the Track and Field program continues to provide excellent opportunities for students to be involved in a high-quality program.

The Track and Field Camp is a vital component of the team’s preparation for the AIC Championship. Over 2½ days, students will receive high-level coaching and mentoring from an exceptional team of specialists including National and Olympic-level coaches across various track and field disciplines.

Attendance at the camp is by invitation only and invitations will be sent to selected students in late August. Selection is based on a range of factors, including performance, attitude, attendance and team composition.

This camp provides an outstanding opportunity for students to refine their skills, build team camaraderie, and gain valuable insights from elite-level coaches as we prepare to defend both our AIC Secondary and AIC Primary Championship trophies.

Camp Information

Dates: Thursday 17 – Saturday 19 September 2026

Venues: Sleeman Sports Complex (Accommodation) / UQ Track and Field (Training and Performance)

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.

Rugby League

Mr Cam Mabey - Rugby League Coordinator

Confraternity Shield Team

Congratulations to the 21 players and five shadow players who have been named in the 2026 MCA Confraternity Shield squad.These players will commence team trainings in Week 7, as part of the 4-week preparation block for the carnival which kicks off on Monday 29 June.

Representation

Over the weekend Year 11 student, Leroy Malone (pictured on the left), represented the Brisbane Broncos U17 team in their match against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. The match was a curtain-raiser for the Cowboys NRL match, with the Broncos U17 winning 32-16.

Year 10 student, Hunter Webb, represented the North Queensland Cowboys U16 Greenhorns side on Thursday 17 April. Hunter’s match was played as a curtain-raiser before the Cowboys vs Sea Eagles NRL fixture.

Term 3 Rugby League Sign Up

All Boys wishing to trial for and play Rugby League in Term 3 need to sign up via the school app. Sign up will open on Monday 4 May and be communicated via ParentOrbit and StudentCafé.

Trials for Rugby League will begin in Week 9 this term.

Swimming

Mr James Boyce - Director of Swimming

We are now in Week 2 of Term 2, and I have been very impressed with the strong attendance at swimming sessions across the first two weeks.

As mentioned following the conclusion of the AIC season in March, the winter period provides a valuable opportunity for swimmers to continue developing the skills built during Terms 4 and 1. Year after year, we see those who commit to training over winter make significant improvements and place themselves in a strong position when selections for the final AIC Team are made. This is a credit to their dedication and effort during the cooler months.

For those interested in continuing this term, we still have a limited number of places available. Once rugby and football schedules have been finalised, please contact Jade at swim@marash.qld.edu.au to secure a spot.

Best of luck to all students in their Round 1 fixtures against Iona College.