Co-Curricular - Junior Sport Stage 3

Recently, I was watching a show on TV with some former NRL players. Not my usual viewing, however at the time I tuned in, the topic of conversation was poor player behaviour. Some on the panel remarked that players had a responsibility to present themselves in a better manner owing to the fact they were role models. One on the panel argued that rugby league players aren’t role models and children should be looking at their parents as role models. 

Immediately a myriad of thoughts ran through my mind. Things such as: wouldn’t it be nice to be able to choose?  What about the children that don’t have a father or mother? Who do they look up to? He’s not wrong, parents should be role models. The reality is that you don’t get to choose whether you are a role model or not. It is inherent depending on the career you take. Anyone that is in the public eye, elite athletes (rugby players included), police, firefighters, teachers, and parents don’t get that choice. Like it or not you are visible to impressionable minds and your actions matter.

This is important to remember as we support our son(s), their teams, and the College this term in summer sport. We may not always agree with the decision of a coach or referee or be satisfied with the actions of the opposition. But before we react, we need to stop and think, is this the behavior we would want to see our son(s) display? When it comes to the boys learning how to best manage the challenges that sport provides, we as role models, must take the lead and demonstrate the behavior ourselves that we wish our boys to develop.

This week the Junior School were invited to play in the first Sydney FC Football competition. This competition was open to all primary schools in Sydney. The competition was set in pools with a round robin style competition, ending in the top two teams competing in the finals. The boys from St Patrick’s College performed well early, with strong wins over Marter College and Scots College. The form continued throughout the day, and the team found themselves in the final have not conceded a goal. In the final against a strong Waverley College team, the boys from St Patrick’s conceded their first goal. Showing all the resilience and character of a St Patrick’s boy, the boys rallied and scored two goals of their own. Finishing the game at the top 2-1. Congratulations to our team on their second tournament win of the year. Thanks to coach Oliver Xuereb and Mr Falzon, Head of Football, for all their support of the boys.

Later in the week Malietau Davis of Year 6 will be competing in the NSWPSSA Athletics Carnival in Discus and Shot Put. We wish Malietau all the best with his events and I know the community will be right behind him, supporting him all the way.

As we continue to develop the extra-curricular hub on the TASS Orbit App, I am aware that training times may not be as per the schedule. Please rest assured that we are working on correcting this, so all information is accurate for each team. Please bear with us while we make the adjustments. Please refer to the training schedule document, should you have any queries regarding your son’s training.

I look forward to Round 8 of the summer season this weekend and wish all our teams the best of luck.

John Locke

Head of Co-Curricular - Stage 3

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”

                                                                                                James Baldwin