Sport News

Uniforms - Training

I have written previously about our expectation that all players will be in Marist training apparel for 2024. This will come into effect from the start of the year so boys are still able to attend Term 4 trials under the current expectations of any suitable Marist apparel.

Along with the training shirt and singlet, a long-sleeve option and a thicker style contact option will be available next year. Students are able to wear the multipurpose shorts or any sport specific shorts, such as rugby or AFL. 

*For sports where there is a limited capacity for positions (AFL, volleyball, rugby league, basketball, tennis) boys will not be required to wear these items until teams are finalised.

There are several reasons for this change. This is a school that has high expectations in school uniform, in playing uniform, and in general appearance. We should have the same expectations in training as we do in the classroom. By prescribing a uniform for training we can ensure that all the participants are wearing appropriate, comfortable and safe apparel for the activity. By being uniformed we have an equalisation, especially around trialling periods, where players can wear their representative gear in an effort to impress, which can also have a negative effect on others at the trial. Most importantly, if we are to perform like a team, it is most helpful to look like a team. It would be rare these days for sporting teams at a competitive level not to have an expectation like this. Dressing the same subconsciously builds connection and identity and can have a positive impact on performance. The crest being positioned above the heart on these items is not a coincidence.

I am hoping that by having given nearly two years' notice of this change coming into effect next year, as boys have grown or worn through their existing items, replacement purchases have been into the training apparel, and based on the shop information this has been largely the case for a lot of our families. As a parent myself I am aware of the added layer of complexity in this arrangement but am confident that the benefits outweigh the negatives. As an aside, the AIC Executive Officer was here at Marist for a meeting earlier in the year and left the grounds while afternoon training was on and made the point of telephoning me to let me know how impressed she was with the presentation of our teams at training. This was in a couple of sports that encouraged boys to have that uniformed approach this year.   

Term 2 and 3 First Teams Awards Dinner

Last Friday night saw out Term 2 and Term 3 first teams dinner for chess, cross country, football, rugby union, basketball, rugby league, tennis and track and field at the Queensland Cricketer’s Club at the Gabba. It was a terrific night with lots of energy and enthusiasm in the room. This was the first time we have combined terms at this event, which was due to logistics, but the night was a success and well received.

My special thanks to Mr Mitch Reid for his organisation of the evening. 

Congratulations to all our award winners and prize recipients across all of our Term 2 and 3 sports. 

Chess

Spirit of Chess: Charles Scarcella

Marcus Porter Memorial Award: James Moore

Cross Country

Most Consistent Trainer Award Medal: Darcy Carroll

Derek Cameron Medal: James Prole 

Peter Lehman Perpetual Trophy 2023: James Prole

Football

Spirit of Ashgrove: Michael Hayter

Golden Boot: Josh Werner

Best and Fairest: Josh Werner

Rugby Union

Best Back: Jude Knapp

Best Forward: Nic Gullo and Harry Thomson

John Eales Award - Contribution to Rugby: Jude Knapp

Basketball

Spirit of Ashgrove: Spencer Mahoney

Most Improved: Jack Forrester

MVP: Will Ford

Rugby League

Best Forward: Jasper Barry

Best Back: Jude Knapp

Most Valuable Player: Leon Karena

Tennis

Spirit of Ashgrove: Hamish Davidson

Most Improved: Henry Lambley

Player of the Year: Edward Price

Track and Field

Spirit of Ashgrove: James Prole

Best AIC Performance: Joel Drew

Overall Contribution to Marist Track and Field: Lee Martin

Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Marist Students at the Queensland Schools Track and Field State Titles

After a fantastic AIC carnival, a group of 21 secondary and 3 primary athletes pushed through to compete at the 2023 QLD School Sport State Track & Field Titles at QSAC stadium. There was a series of excellent medal-winning performances and just as pleasing was the consistency of the team and the number of near podium misses with athletes giving their all, completing finals posting positions from 4th to 8th. Although a few just missed out by small margins in taking a Top 3 position it was great to see them maintaining enough hunger to persist with their athletic journey.

Well done to all athletes participating as this level of competition will hold them in good stead for competing and achieving for themselves and the school at future track and field carnivals.

Medals

Zac Milligan – Gold 3000m (15 Years), Bronze 1500m (15 years)

Asher Parkin – Silver 3000m (16 Years), Bronze 1500m (16 Years)

Joel Drew – Gold 400m Hurdles (17 Years), Silver 110 Hurdles (17 Years)

Connor Campbell – Silver 200m Hurdes (14 Years), Bronze 400m (14 Years), 9th 200m

Lee Martin – Gold Shot Put (17 Years), 5th Discus (17 Years)

Isaac Ting – Gold 4x100m Relay (13-15 Years), 4th 100m Hurdles, Semi 100m

Charlie Weaver – Silver 110m Hurdles (18 Years)

Isaiah Burgess – Silver Shot Put (16 Years)

Additional Performances

Jono Kirk – 4th Shot Put (15 years)

Declan Blundell – 4th Javelin (13 Years)

James Prole – 4th 800m (17 Years), 18th 1500m

Charlie Campion – 4th 90m Hurdles (13 Years)

Joe Jackson – 4th 110m Hurdles (16 Years)

Hayden Lockhart – 6th Long Jump (13 years), 7th 90m Hurdles (13 years)

Harry Prole – Final 1500m

Tadhg Ryan – 10th 100m Hurdles (15 Years)

Ben Caughley – 9th High Jump (17 Years)

Ted Clarke – 16th 200m (16 years), 25th 100m (16 Years)

Theo Calder – 11th Triple Jump (13 years)

Perry Croft – 24th 1500m (14 Years)

Lindsay Dixon – 29th 100m (14 Years)

Marist College Track and Field Record Breakers

The College had three outstanding performances with records broken. Congratulations to the following students on their wonderful achievements at the recent QSS State Titles.  

Zac Milligan – U15 1500m 4:07.82             Previous record – Tom Prole 4:08.19

Asher Parkin – U16 1500m 4:10.04            Previous record – Tom Prole 4:10.50

Lee Martin – Opens Shot Put 16.62m       Previous record – Lee Martin 16.47m

Well done to both the former record holders for their achievements and importantly to the new record holders for continuing to push the boundaries of capability.

At the QLD Primary Schools Championships – performances included

1. Nathan Wright – Bronze Multi-event (Qualifies for National Titles)
2. Hugo Lockhart – 10 Years High Jump
3. Lucas Crowley – 10 Years Multi-event

While there were some excellent results with 13 medals in total at this State Titles, it should be noted in 3 weeks there is an additional QLD Athletics arranged QLD All Schools State Titles. This event in November will qualify athletes in 12-17 Years for the Athletics Australia National All Schools Titles in Perth in Dec 2023. We wish our athletes preparing for this event the best for this upcoming meet.

Marist Track and Field Coaches…..thank you

A final acknowledgement to the wonderful Marist coaching team who guided the team to their 9th successive AIC Championship in the secondary competition and the 3rd successive trophy in the primary competition.

Thank you for creating an enjoyable environment where every student could reach their potential. Your care and commitment for the students produced a competitive and united culture.

Head Coach – Mr Rob Martin.

Primary Head of Sport / Track and Field Coordinator – Mr John Lambourne.

College Coaches – Mr Will Burkett, Ms Maddie Spann, Ms Eli Kenny, Mr Andrew Fogarty, Mr Laurie Boustead, Mr David Meehan and Mr Paul Knight.

External Coaches – Mr Eric Brown (Head of Jumps), Mr Des Davis (Head of Throws), Mr Paul Kearney, Mr Tim Castley, Mr Cameron Pfeffer, Mr Bill Prole (Head of Distance), Mr Brendan Saunders, Mr Gav Hunter, Mr Connor Duggan and Mr Jeremy Davis.

Old Boy coaches including – Mr Zack Newsham, Mr Dan Drew, Mr Carl Martin and Mr Tom Prole.

Marist Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby / Track and Field

Term 4 Training

This week students from Year 9-11 are invited to participate in a 5-week training block (this is the second of five weeks). All information is available on the Marist app.

Please note, if a student chooses to attend the AFL preseason block running during the same period, the only rugby union session available will be the Friday morning timeslot. This is to manage their physical load and their studies at this busy time.

Scrum Ready Program | Year 5-12

Years 5-11 rugby union front row forwards.

Any students who play in the front row are invited to the Scrum Ready Program. 

WHEN: Wednesday 11 / 18 / 25 October / 1 November

TIME: 3:30pm-4:45pm

WHERE: Des Connor Park, Field 5

DRESS: MCA sports shirt, Marist sports shorts, blue / white / or Marist rugby socks.

OTHER GEAR: Rugby boots and a drink bottle

The aim of the training sessions is to educate students on key strengthening exercises, correct technique and the ability to maintain a safe, strong and stable body position. 

The three weeks will consist of:

1.     Core and body strengthening exercises

2.     Solo with no opposition – on knees

3.     Solo with no opposition – on feet

4.     Solo against a machine / tackle bag

5.     1 v 1 / 3 v 3 body shape. 

Students should complete the program with knowledge that will allow them to continue their own training across the remainder of Term 4 and into the school holidays.

Tennis

Mr Andrew Ward - Director of Tennis

Here is what is happening this week at the courts.

Tennis coaching is solid this term with all courts full every morning and afternoon every weekday. We are still able to take some bookings for any students wishing to learn to play tennis.

Friday Fixtures

We have a record number of players for our, Division 2 and 3 competition. Players this term are in teams of 2 and play a different team each week. We are always looking for reserves if there are any more boys who would like to play, please contact us.

Our division 1 is slowly growing and is a great way to get regular match play to help improve as a player and also practice what students learn in coaching.

I would highly recommend any player who is thinking of trying out for opens next year to be seriously considering this as you also get coaching as you play to help get on top of your game.

Div 1 –             5:30pm-7:30pm

Div 2 and 3 –      3:30pm-5:30pm

Memberships are now due for MCA Tennis Club and we have started to deactivate non-financial members which will make all pin codes obsolete. All members for this financial year will be reissued a new PIN code as we do our clean-out of the system. If you have not been issued yet a new number please call by the end of the week. Please keep in mind that all prices are for members when it comes to coaching and a separate price for non-members.

This year we will be holding two holiday camps between the end of school and before Christmas. We will also be holding an Australian open clinic in January before school starts back.

All dates to come as we will be posting a tennis calendar for 2024 with all important dates like tournaments and AIC trials. Stay tuned.

Next year we are looking to expand our AIC program by introducing some tennis trips. The front runner is Sydney, and we are also looking to take on a club from Noosa and another from Brisbane to help us prepare for our assault on AIC season in 2024. We would look to book these in holiday time.

Last Friday I was fortunate to attend the sports award dinner for teams from Term 2 and 3 sports honoring their 1st players and teams.

Congratulations to these students on winning these awards.

Spirit of Ashgrove winner = Hamish Davidson

Most Improved winner = Henry Lambley

Player of the Year winner = Eddie Price

Congratulations on a solid year and thank you from the whole coaching team.

For all enquiries and bookings to MCA Tennis Club please contact us at

MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au, or phone: 0437 449 523. 

Thank you and hope to see you on the courts.