Sport

Term 3 Sport

It has been fantastic to see our Term 3 sport teams in action with the highlight being our ACC Basketball 1st V playing home games in front of HUGE crowds. The boys finished second in their pool, and will play their semi final on 28 August at MSAC after a successful home and away season with four wins and just the one loss to Parade. 

Led by Australian U17 Point Guard Ned Renfree, the boys have been playing an entertaining style of basketball with plenty of dunks and three pointers. Thanks to Mr Eric Hayes and Mr Jarrod Fryar for their expert coaching of the 1st and 2nd V. Also a massive thanks to Mr Josh Ebbels for his organisation of the school’s basketball program again this year. His tireless work has our basketball program humming! There are many teams in a number of sports that are performing well with lots of boys getting the chance to represent the school. 

This term we have the following sports available:  

• Table Tennis – All year levels 
• Squash/Racquetball – All year levels
• Basketball – All year levels (we have a record 16 teams across all year levels)
• Soccer – Junior & Senior 
• Senior Hockey – Years 9-12

Our committed staff are doing a fantastic job coaching the boys and we are achieving some great results across all sports.

Basketball

Last week our Senior ACC boys played against St Joseph’s Geelong in a home court extravaganza!

To kick the day off our 2’s started the game with a quick fire 10-point lead and appeared to be well in control. St Joey’s tried to come back at us but our bigs Jordy Beaston and Hunter Martin simply said ‘No!’ Alex Stevens, Brodie Reardon, Henry Ebbels and Toby Walshe played ferocious defence and caused a lot of turn overs, which led to plenty of open court layups. The end of the game saw SPC have a comfortable victory.

SPC First V

During lunchtime our SPC crowd gathered and the energy was outstanding — the team really appreciate playing in front of their mates.  This wasn’t going to be an easy game, St Joey’s come to play. To start the game it was bucket for bucket with both teams playing hard defence and taking plenty of open shots. With Lachie Pritchard, Jacob Britt, Ned Renfree and Angus Haire all out, we had Fraser Molan and Jack Abrams step in at short notice. Their toughness and composure were evident from the start and allowed our up tempo, attack-the-ring style of basketball to pay off. Seth Wall and Jack Hexter were extremely hard to guard and Harry Alsop would have got most of his points through foul shots due to being heavily fouled every time he entered the paint. 

After a pulsating half of basketball our boys came out to play in the second period and eventually finished the game with Nathan Jolly jumping from what appeared the foul line to finish the game on the buzzer with a massive dunk! The crowd, team, staff and I think even the kids next door were amazed and the cheering shook the gym! Our boys got the win by four. 

This week we play St Bernard's who have been winning most of their games too. It’ll be tough!

Champions Cup 2024

During Week 4 of Term 3 we had our Junior, Intermediate and Senior Boys Elite Teams travel to Melbourne to take on Victoria’s best basketball teams. 

Tuesday saw the Junior boys, led by Dex Rizzoli and Jackson Hood start the day at 6.15am to arrive at the State Basketball Centre around 9am for our first game was 9.10am!

We had three round games booked and ready to go and needed to make finals! Needless to say the first two games were solid 10 point victories and then we played Berwick, a sporting school with a solid basketball program. Let’s just say we didn’t have a great match — one that we learnt a lot from! This meant we ended up second in our pool and had to play Marcellin College in the finals. We went out and did our best but Marcellin was a talented team and we simply didn’t have the legs to run with them, eventually losing the game. The boys fought gallantly and considering we had some Year 7’s in the team, matching up against a full squad of Year 8’s — we did an awesome job!

Wednesday – Intermediates

Played on the same day as our Senior ACC Home game and the Herald Sun Cup meant that Mr Fryar and Sarah Lamanna had to take an undermanned Intermediate team to again play against the Melbourne sporting schools. In similar fashion our boys started with a couple of solid wins but when we faced the schools with elite programs we simply couldn’t match it with them. Again, we played in the finals on the day but lost. Mr Fryar said the team did well to compete the way they did, especially considering nearly half the team was playing footy on the day. Another great effort!

Thursday – Seniors

After a great ACC win the day before a dedicated group of young men backed it up the day after. The boys, supported by Eric and Jarrod left to play high level basketball with a very undermanned team due to injury and academic commitments. No other team going to these tournaments has to leave in the dark and get home in the dark so it’s a credit to our boys and their commitment to SPC basketball. Also, to the boys' credit, they came out of the day with a few wins and a tough loss. Like the juniors and intermediates, our seniors made finals only to lose in a hard-fought match. 

Overall our boys represented SPC with pride, leaving it all on the court and proving that we are definitely great competitors! Big thanks to Jarrod Fryar and Eric Hayes for their elite coaching knowledge and commitment to SPC Basketball. 

Soccer

BAS SENIORS – WEEK 4

SPC vs BCC Black

The St Pats First XI were back to winning ways after a draw with Ballarat Grammar’s First team last week. This week, they dispatched Clarendon College’s First team, cementing themselves at the top of the ladder.

The squad was light on players for our shortest away trip of the year (just across the road), with four of the squad missing due to injuries and illness. This didn’t dampen the squad’s resolve, and right from the beginning we looked the stronger team. Josh Remington scored a penalty and an impressive free-kick from range in the first half to thrust the boys into the lead. While Clarendon did threaten a couple of times, solid work between Luke Severino and Liam McEldrew kept the St Pats goal unviolated.

The second half became a tenser affair, with an inexperienced referee allowing some late tackles to go unpunished. As the boys on both sides became more frustrated, tensions boiled and the adversarial history of the two schools rose to full display. Late in the second half, Rex Van Berkel led a dizzying run down the wing past several players to score, putting the final nail in the coffin and relieving any pressure the boys may have been feeling with just a two-goal lead.

In the end a comfortable 3-0 scoreline for St Pats, which gives a fair account of the run of play.

- Pietro Angeli

BAS SENIORS 2nd XI – ROUND 3

SPC Green vs BGS

Round 3 presented SPC Green with their first home game for the season in-front of a full balcony of home support on the Main Oval against Ballarat Grammar's second XI side. After a minor glitch to our plans for the mighty Greens last week, our boys knew that securing three points at home was paramount to getting back on track this season. After a tough and rugged showing in Round 1 against BGS’ first XI, the Green came into this clash as favourites. 

If Father Time has taught us anything, there’s no easy games in football. BGS brought their best and had several of the better chances in the first half despite the time in possession that the green held. Copper “the broom” Neil again proved solid at the back and swept up every loose ball that threatened the back four. 0-0 at the break, work to be done in the second half. Positional players were rejigged to help create further chances to complement our high possession rate. 

The boys got to work instantly with Joey Weston starting to look frightening in the box. Lenny Ward decided to flex his skills from near on the halfway line to sail the ball into a clear net with the BGS keeper left looking in the sun. BGS hit back almost instantly from a set piece scramble, game on.

A change in formation again presented us with another fantastic chance again through Lenny Ward with the BGS redeeming his earlier blunder, making the save of the day. The Green demons found themselves again in on goal with a poorly-timed challenge by BGS ensuring Lenny Ward had the chance to score his second and put SPC ahead. From 12 yards, he made no mistake.

Several late threats came from BGS which saw our stand in goalkeeper, Lachy Belleville making a crucial save to complement a great stop earlier in the game. 2-1 the result to a noble BGS 2ndXI side with the boys showing incredible character to walk away victorious. Next week’s fixture see’s the local derby against the First XI take place at Shed Oval and I can assure you, the Green Machine is starting to hum! 

- Will Cousens

BAS JUNIORS – WEEK 4

SPC White

SPC White 4 def Clarendon Black 1

SPC white came out strong with a ripper of a goal scored by Ethan M, putting it in from outside the box into the top left corner.

We conceded a penalty late into the half and scores were level at 1 a piece going into the half.

SPC came out strong second half, with Ethan completing his hat trick and Joaquin slotting 1 late with the boys running away with the win, 4 to 1 at full time.

 Goal Scorers: Ethan Mardling x3, Joaquin Flores x1 

- Liam Davie

SPC Blue 

SPC Blue 8 def 1 Damascus

SPC Blue continued their rich form with a dominating victory over Damascus College. A thrilling team effort from all included, especially at the back with Riley Horne, Lachy Sanders and Campbell Treloar fully deserving the high praise for their defensive efforts at the back. On top of the defensive quality, the attacking prowess of SPC Blue ran with full flight with what was to be goals galore!

Goal Scorers: Kade Howden 1, Will Steenhuis 1, Noah Hey 2, and Milo Alvarado 4.

– Charlie Horne/ Ryan Williams 

SPC Green

SPC Green 10 def Ballarat High School 6                     

After two weeks' break, the boys played their second game against Ballarat High School on the Main Oval. SPC began with a chilling wind and the game was evenly poised for the first 10 minutes with neither team scoring. This was about to change. SPC began to score rapidly with Aiden O’Keefe scoring three goals in the remainder of the half, along with Jake Remington who also scored three goals and Liam O’Keefe scoring the one goal. However, Ballarat High was also proving threatening and scored three of their own goals. At half-time the score was 7 – 3. With the change of end the concern was that Ballarat High would score enough goals to overtake SPC, however, each team was able to score three goals each with the result being a well-earned victory to SPC against a very threatening team. All the boys should be congratulated on their efforts during this game and their willingness to support each other in very difficult conditions.

Goal scorers: Aiden O’Keefe 5, Jake Remington 4, Liam O’Keefe 1

– Barry Schuurs

ACC Chess Tournament

On Thursday, August 15, we hosted 200 students from 13 schools for the annual ACC Chess Tournament. This year we were privileged to be able to hold the tournament in our brand new Performing Arts Centre. Well done to Team SPC, who came runners up in Division 1 and placed seventh in Division 2!

It was a fierce piece-to-piece combat across the chess board, which could easily have been a scene straight from the movie “Queen's Gambit”. The level of interest on the day was exceedingly high; the stakes almost as high with ACC reigning champions Mazenod College the target that was firmly set in all the school’s cross hairs.

Our lads played admirably with many notable performances. Just as noteworthy, all players were smiling – even those who suffered multiple defeats – and ultimately a lot of fun was had throughout the competition. 

Cross Country

On Wednesday, August 7, the St Patrick's College Cross Country team competed in the Annual BAS Cross Country event at Ballarat High School. 

The course, which is remarkably flat,  meanders around the Ballarat High School Ovals and then through the adjacent Prince of Wales Park. The Under 14 boys competed over a distance of 3km while, the Under 16 and Open boys tackle the more challenging 5km course.

The 27 boys who competed in the event certainly represented the College proudly. Ably lead by Archie Caldow, Paddy O'Brien, Nedd Bennett and Connor Weidemann the team was keen to make a mark on the opposition.

Weather conditions were almost perfect for running with sunny conditions, a slight northerly breeze and a dry track. Some of the results included:

U14 Boys – (the U14 Boys Team finished 1st)

2nd Ollie Burt

4th Tom Goodson

5th Ollie Ryan (Yr 7)

U16 Boys (U16 Boys Team finished 4th)

2nd Mitch Korosec (Yr 9) 

15th Noah Butler

16th Hudson Brennan

Open Boys (Open Boys Team finished 2nd)

5th Cody Torney (Yr 11)

6th Archie Caldow

9th Connor Weidemann

Thanks is extended to Shane Hayes and Amanda Rossato for their great assistance with the team. Jason Lappin and Simon Dwyer are to be commended for their continued support with planning organisation of cross country events. 

We also congratulate Year 11 student Cody Torney and Year 7 student Ollie Ryan for their selection in the Victorian team for the upcoming Australian Cross Country Championships in Tasmania on 31 August-1 September. We wish you both the best of luck and look forward to hearing all about it upon your return!

- John Richards

Intermediate  Football (Herald Sun Shield)

SPC White 3 – 5 – 23 defeated by Western Heights College 6 – 9 – 45

Goal Kickers: Toby Dixon 2 and Oliver Potter 1.

Best Players: Ethan Drever, Riley Hiscock, Charlie Barrance, Zavier Thomas, Kai Watkins and Oliver Potter

On Wednesday morning, SPC White boarded a bus for Williamstown to take on a relatively unknown entity in Western Heights College in the semi-final of the Intermediate Herald Sun Shield. Upon arrival we were blessed with blue skies and, given the location, a light breeze. Charlie Barrance took the Captain's armband for the day after showing promise as a leader and general across half back throughout the season. The toss was won and SPC kicked with a slight advantage in the first term.

From the first bounce it was clear that the match was going to be a real arm wrestle of a contest. Western Heights managed to kick the first major of the game and looked the more dangerous. Despite controlling majority of the play Lachie Huebner was prominent across half back with great intent at the ball and contest winning plenty of it across half back. Toby Dixon took a great contested mark up forward for our first look at goal but unfortunately was unable to consolidate. Oliver Potter capped of a tremendous first quarter, providing plenty of run and carry on the wing, with a much need goal. SPC heading in a quarter time six points adrift.

The arm wrestle continued through the second quarter with Western Heights again owning plenty of the play. Despite their control on the game, it wasn’t until red time when they kicked their only major of the quarter taking a 23 to eight lead into the main break. It was through the efforts of Charlier Barrance and Angus Morgan holding strong down back, showing plenty of resilience and grit to repel the Western Heights attack.

The third quarter looked more promising for the boys from SPC, getting a few more looks at goal. Unfortunately, they were not able to capitalise on any of these chances with the only goal of the quarter going the way of Western Heights.

With nothing to lose in the fourth quarter Charlie Barrance was thrown forward and looked to be a real presence with SPC starting very strongly kicking the first goal of the quarter inside three minutes reducing the margin to 15 points courtesy of Toby Dixon. Zavier Thomas fought gamely in the ruck, often undersized, all day providing use to Ethan Drever who was injected into the midfield and won plenty of the ball throughout the second half. Kai Watkins and Riley Hiscock were as hard as ever, willing themselves to each contest and getting the ball to the runners on the outside. It wasn’t to be though as Western Heights ran away 45 – 23 winners.

The whole squad is to be commended on the way in which they played out the game. Coming up against a team which were extremely well drilled and well structured was going to be a huge task. And, despite being down on the scoreboard throughout the game the SPC never say die attitude was always there. The boys can be extremely proud of their achievements and hold their heads high.

We wish those moving into the senior ranks next year the absolute best, with many hopefully earning their chance to represent the Green, White and Blue at the ACC level. 

- Intermediate Football Coaches

Sam Cue & Carly Twaits

John James Medal Presentation

The Annual John James Medal Dinner will be held on Monday, 2 September. We look forward to celebrating all of our award winners including Best & Fairest winners for each year level as well as the annual John James Medal. Results will be posted in Term 3’s final edition of The Crest.

Communication

The best form of communication we have with parent/guardians is via the Parent Access Module (PAM). Students require permission to participate in all sport. Parent/guardians will receive the information through a PAM activity permission. Please ensure that you read the information prior to giving permission and that you also talk to students about the information. 

The daily messages are one of the best ways we can distribute information to students about sports that are on offer and where sign up meetings will be held. Students should check the daily messages regularly.

Once students have signed up for a sport, we will be adding them into a MS Teams group where they can communicate directly with their coach. Students must communicate with their coach if they are unavailable for a match so we can find a replacement to ensure we have a full team for each match. If students are unsure of how to sign up for a sport or want more information, they should visit sports staff in the gymnasium. 

Sports Uniform

Students need to ensure they are in the correct uniform to participate. The general sport uniform is the navy blue polo top, navy shorts and white socks. Certain sports will require very specific clothing e.g. Soccer will need to purchase SPC soccer shorts and socks and Basketball will need to purchase SPC Basketball shorts. Students should check with their coach as to what is required. Uniform can be purchased through Dobsons, online or at the College during shop opening hours.

I wish all students and coaches the best in Term 3. Always play the game in the right spirit, wear the correct uniform and respect the facilities, home and away. St Patrick’s College is steeped in sporting tradition, and you are encouraged to add more chapters to our past endeavours.