Sport
AFL 9's Program
Dear Parents, Guardians and Families,
Unfortunately, due to low registration and attendance at the first session this past Wednesday, we have decided to cancel the AFL 9s program for 2025. AFL Victoria will look at running another program with adjustments to hopefully deliver a successful program in 2026.
Elly Dixon
Director of Sport
Rowing - Ballarat & Melbourne
Last weekend, a group of College rowers headed to Lake Wendouree for the Rowing Victoria Ballarat Schools Regatta — and we came home with some seriously impressive results.
The Year 8 Boys Quad — Max Malseed, Heston Small, Lachlan Oldfield Mann, Seamus McDonald and cox Oliver Copley — won against Melbourne Grammar and Warrnambool Nestles int he heat, rowing a 4:32.93 and then smashed that in the final with 4:28.53, finishing ten seconds ahead of the field.
A standout performance came from our Year 8 Girls Division 1 Quad: Mhairi McDonald, Hannah Young, Billie Carmody, Elsie Brown and coxswain Louisa McDonald. They absolutely flew through their heat, winning by almost 20 seconds in a time of 4:19.18. They backed it up in the final with another win, crossing the line 16 seconds ahead of Loreto and Damascus.
Our Open Girls Coxed Four showed how far their sweep rowing has come this season. Georgina Russell, Belle Wallis, Phoebe Baker and Sophie Hill, with cox Camilla Dunstan, rowed two clean, confident races and took out the final in 4:46.10 — ten seconds clear of Ballarat High.
We also picked up solid second places in the Year 8 Girls Division 4 Quad and the Open Boys Single Scull, rounding out a strong day for the College.
Meanwhile in Melbourne, our Senior Boys Quad rowed under the banner of the Hamilton Rowing Club to debut on the Yarra in the iconic Head of the Melbourne race — a tough 3.5km downstream row past the MCG. They placed 11th out of 19 in their first metro regatta — an awesome effort.
College Angling Club
Last Sunday, we had our final fishing trip of the year at Hopkins River, Jubilee Park in Warrnambool. Despite patches of rain and occasional wind gusts, it was a great day out, and the group had a great time.
It was fantastic to see how much our anglers have grown over the five trips this year — many were tying their own traces, baiting their hooks, and fishing independently.
We ran a points system across the season — based on attendance, heaviest bag, and total fish caught. After all five trips, our overall winner was Nic McCure! Congratulations to Nic and well done to all students who took part and contributed so positively throughout the season. On the day, three solid bream were landed – well done to Makenna, Isabel and Nic. And of course, the sausage sizzle lunch was a hit as always.
Fishing Club 2026 — Join Us!
We’re now accepting enrolments for next year’s College Fishing Club. In 2026, we plan to visit rivers and jetties within 90 minutes of Hamilton. If you’re keen for your child to join, just drop Mr Naidu an email at vnaidu22@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au.
Netball
It was another action-packed morning on the courts, filled with strong sportsmanship, tight contests, and plenty of energy from every team.
College Vixens opened the day with organised play and confident shooting to secure a comfortable win over the Thunderbirds. Goal shooters Ruby Hausler, Charlotte Alderman, and Pepper Bowes were standouts in the ring, while mid-court combinations featuring Isabella Malseed, Lily Giles, Sophie Whitehead, and Sophie Spence kept the ball moving smoothly through the court. Saskia Gould made some wonderful intercepts and court play again this week. Felicity Rentsch and Bella Holmes also had strong games. The players across the court allowed fast transitions, and consistent pressure ensured the Vixens took control the game from start to finish. It was a challenging but rewarding match, full of smiles and great team spirit. A big thank you to Mrs Jody Ogle and Leila Robertson for umpiring.
College Sapphires claimed a confident win over Hamilton North Yellow, showing maturity and impressive court awareness well beyond their age. Their ball movement was polished, with smart use of channels and excellent support in the goal circle. It was a composed and well-structured performance that highlighted their growing skill and understanding of the game. Thank you to Georgina McDonald and Ellie Lewis for umpiring.
Later in the morning, the Firebirds delivered a strong and consistent four-quarter performance. Some sharp passing, accurate shooting, and disciplined defensive pressure allowed them to take control early and maintain momentum throughout. Good Shepherd challenged them at every turn, but the Firebirds’ teamwork and composure secured a convincing 12-goal victory.
The College Rubies, led enthusiastically by coaches Pepper and Lily, brought wonderful energy to the court. Players rotated through a variety of positions, showing versatility, confidence, and outstanding sportsmanship. Their willingness to learn and support one another led to impressive team performance.
In the closest match of the round, the Mavericks edged out Gray Street by a single goal in a thrilling finish. Both teams fought hard right to the final whistle, but the Mavericks held their nerve in the final moments to come away with the win. Strong passages, some well-timed leads, and committed defensive efforts kept the game alive right until the end, making it an exciting match for players and spectators alike.
Belle Wallis
Netball Co-Captain