Year 7/8 Football

On Tuesday 11th June, around 40 Monivae students made their way to Pedrina Park for a fantastic afternoon of football. The weather was perfect for a day on the field; the morning fog lifted just in time to reveal a warm sun for the first bounce. Monivae proudly fielded a team, while a second group of students joined forces with Good Shepherd to form the “All Stars”.

From the outset, it was clear there was some exceptional talent on display. Slick ball movement, strong tackles, and impressive goals showcased the skills of our students on both sides. But what truly stood out wasn’t just the football ability – it was the spirit in which the game was played, and the way our school values were proudly displayed by every student.

A strong sense of mateship, encouragement, and respect was evident throughout the day – both among teammates and opposing sides. The All Stars gelled beautifully despite coming from different schools, proving that teamwork and a shared love of the game can unite players quickly. It was great to see the boys take on the challenge of playing in unfamiliar positions and trying new things, demonstrating how adaptability on the field fosters growth, determination, and a commitment to improvement.

The Monivae team performed exceptionally well, winning all four of their matches. The All Stars played with heart, resilience, and great teamwork in several closely contested games, but just fell short on the scoreboard.

A big thank you goes out to everyone involved – players, support staff, and supporters. A special mention also to the students who volunteered their time to umpire five games, doing so with integrity, fairness, and respect.

Overall, it was a positive and rewarding day for all involved. Days like these remind us that school sport is about so much more than just competition – it’s about connection, character, and community.

Mr Lucas Taylor

Year 9/10 GWR Soccer

What an incredible journey for our GWR Year 9/10 soccer team! Going from no expectations with a mix of talented soccer players and general sportsmen, we travelled to Ballarat to compete in the Greater Western Region Soccer competition.

With no particular expectations, the team ably led by captain Zander Mibus, approached each match with determination and athletic ability. The first game was against Trinity College, a tough match that ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Samuel Obagbemi scored a beautiful header from a corner, proving to the boys that they had very talented soccer players and some AFL footballers who could easily change codes.

Momentum continued to build in the second game, where the boys settled well for a commanding 3-0 victory that announced their arrival as genuine contenders. The combination of natural soccer talent and athletic prowess from players who typically excel in other sports created a dynamic and unpredictable playing style that opponents struggled to contain.

After winning their pool, the boys found themselves facing Ballarat High School in the grand final. Despite their impressive journey, our team entered the match as clear underdogs against a highly regarded opponent with a strong soccer team.

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. In a match that our boys are so proud of, both teams displayed incredible skill, determination, and heart. Neither side could break the deadlock during regular time, with goalkeepers and defenses standing firm under immense pressure.

As the match moved into overtime, the tension was palpable. Staff and players were very nervous as the score remained locked at 0-0; thus sending both teams into a 5 goal penalty shoot out, the ultimate test of nerves. Flyn Holmes, who stepped out of his football clothes and donned the soccer goalie strip, had one of the biggest tests he had all day. Only conceding 1 goal for the day, it was now that he was truly challenged.

Our players displayed remarkable composure as they stepped up to the penalty spot to take their shot. The nerves were starting to build, the penalties progressed, and the quality and pressure only intensified. When the initial round of penalties concluded, the score line stood at an incredible 5-5.

The match required sudden death penalties to determine a winner, adding yet another layer of drama to an already unforgettable encounter. As each school sent their players in, the silence was deafening. With tremendous courage stepping up in the sudden death penalty shootout, our 3rd penalty kicker put through his best effort but unfortunately it was just slightly too high and his effort struck the crossbar, allowing Ballarat High School to claim the title. Every player who took a penalty in that high-pressure moment deserves immense credit.

The blend of soccer specialists and multi-sport athletes proved that passion, teamwork, and determination can overcome any perceived disadvantage. These players have shown that sometimes the most remarkable stories come from the most unexpected places. Best players on the day: Harley Kearns, Zander Mibus, Flyn Holmes, Kareem Muhktar.

Year 9/10 Boys GD Basketball

Our Year 9/10 boys basketball team delivered an exceptional day of basketball at the Glenelg Division Basketball Competition, completing a perfect 6-0 record that showcases the dedication, skill, and teamwork of this talented group. Facing an eclectic group of teams from other schools, the boys were conscious of the competition from those who were going to test their skill and those that would test their sportsmanship.

With wins against the two Baimbridge teams, the boys then faced Good Shepherd. With a strong start the boys were winning 15-3 very early in the game, and realising the difference between the teams, the Monivae boys showed their excellent sportsmanship by changing their game plan to ensure that both teams had an enjoyable game. This was noted by an independent umpire whom spoke to myself at the end of the competition about the excellent sportsmanship our team showed. Well done boys.

The boys went on to win their final 3 games with only Portland Secondary College putting the pressure on court with 1 point difference at the final siren. Outstanding players Kareem Muhktar and Hugh Prentice.

The boys will now head to Ballarat in Term 3 for the Greater Western Region Basketball Championships. Congratulations to all the boys, their coach, Zac Elliott, and team manager, Belinda Carroll.

Year 9/10 Girls GD Basketball

Our girls basketball team also participated in the GD Day basketball competition, the girls showed excellent skill and determination throughout all three matches on the day. Securing victories against both Portland A and Bayview College demonstrated the team's quality and competitive spirit, while their draw with Portland B showed great resilience and fighting spirit. With Maddox Ryan and Ruby Clever as the best players for the competition.

Based on their strong performance at GD Day, with two victories and a draw from three matches, the girls have progressed to the GWR competition. This achievement reflects their skill level and competitive ability, earning them the opportunity to compete at the next level.

Well done to all the girls who participated and thank you to Holly Rook (Year 11) for coaching and Nyah Bester as the team manager. Good luck in Ballarat next term.

Umpires

Alongside our successful boys and girls basketball teams, we provided exceptional umpiring support for the basketball competition. Led by Grace Cleaver, our team of six umpires delivered outstanding service throughout the day.

Grace demonstrated excellent leadership in coordinating our umpiring squad along with other school supplied umpires, ensuring all games ran smoothly. Our six umpires showed great dedication and expertise, maintaining high standards of officiating across all matches.

Well done to Grace Clever, Jay Casey, Stella Grinham, Cooper Kearney, Harry Frichot and Harry Manley for their excellent service on basketball day.

I would like to also extend my thanks to not only the players but staff and parents who ensured that we were able to get all students to HILAC and ensuring Monivae still had teams given that the school was closed due to an electrical issue on the day. This shows the dedication of both staff and students to represent our school.

State Cross Country

We extend our very best wishes to the following students who will be representing our school at the State Cross Country Championships in the first week of Term 3:

Matilda Brook	Harry McShane
Charlize Fairbairn	Leayla Pohl
Ruby Fitzpatrick	Holly Rook
Lillian Glazebrook	Archie Templeton
Edie Kent	Sydney Todd
Matilda Mason	Astrid White

These students have earned their place at the state level through outstanding performances in regional competitions. Their qualification for the State Championships is a testament to their dedication, training, and natural talent in cross country running.

Competing at the state level represents the pinnacle of school cross country competition, and we are incredibly proud to have these athletes representing our school on such a prestigious stage.

Ms Sarah Byron

Sports Coordinator

Monivae College Newsletter

02.07.2025

Issue 6 · 01 Jul 2025

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