SPORTING NEWS
DATES FOR 2026
Friday 13 February - St Nicholas Swimming Carnival
Friday 27 February - ACS Swimming Carnival (Inverell)
Friday 6 March - ACS Winter Trials (Netball, Rugby League, Soccer, Hockey)
Friday 27 March - St Nicholas Cross Country
Friday 19 June - St Nicholas Athletics Carnival
🏅 Sport Update: Who to Contact
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to another exciting year of sport at St Nicholas. To ensure our sporting programs run smoothly and that your queries are answered as efficiently as possible, we have updated our operational structure for the year ahead.
New Central Contact
Please direct all sport-related enquiries to our new central email address: sntsport@arm.catholic.edu.au
This inbox will be managed by our sports admin, who will ensure your email is forwarded to the relevant coordinator listed below.
2026 Sport Coordination Team
We have divided responsibilities to ensure dedicated focus on each area of our sports program:
- Carnivals: Bree Constable and Nicole Henn
The ladies handle the swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals. They also manage and keep a track of school records and work out who will represent our school at Diocesan carnivals for swimming, cross country and athletics. They are also responsible for the Half Blue & Blue awards in swimming, cross country and athletics at the end of the year.
- Dio Pathways (Diocesan Trials & Representative Sport): Duane Henn
This former Springbok organises who will attend trials, such as the Winter Trials (Netball, Rugby League, Soccer, Hockey). Any sport or event (not a carnival) that can lead to a higher level of achievement is under Mr Henn’s domain. He is also responsible for the Half Blue & Blue awards in other sports at the end of the year.
- School Sport and Gala Days: Emma Elliott and Kendall Pearce
These two exemplary fashionistas organise and coordinate with sports associations where our students play in their St Nicholas uniform for their school. This includes Basketball, Netball, Oztag, Touch and School Rugby. We also organise teams for Gala Days and competitions like the Toni Palmer Shield (Rugby League).
The ladies also handle any of the external sport providers that come and do skills sessions in school. The school sports shed is also under Mrs Pearce and Mrs Elliott’s domain.
For any other sports that are club-based (no St Nicholas teams playing in St Nicholas uniform) like soccer and hockey, we do not organise anything other than passing on contact and registration details via the school newsletter.
By sending your enquiries to the central email, we can ensure they reach the correct person immediately.
We look forward to a fantastic year of participation and achievement for our students.
POLDING BASKETBALL TRIALS
On Friday 6 February we have the following legends representing the Armidale Diocese looking for selection into the Polding team. We are already very proud of you, you’ve put the hard work in the practice. Now just go out there and enjoy the moment and trust your training.
Good luck to Lilly Balderston, Nellie Burgess, Alera Ison, Marlee Smith, Miles Pearce, and Sebastian Skilton who all made the Diocesan team for basketball.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL - Friday 13 February 2026
Our St Nicholas Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 13th February at Tamworth City Pool. We ask that all students are there by 8:30am for an 8:45am start.
Please make sure your child has entered all the events they wish to be part of before Wednesday 11th February. No entries will be accepted on the day (except 25 metres).
Tamworth City Pool has asked if students are using the canteen to please only bring CASH. Students will be allocated a small amount of time to get snacks from the canteen
The presentation for the swimming carnival aged champions and winning house will be on Monday 16th February at 8:45am. Parents are welcome to attend this presentation.
Please make sure your child has labelled everything - including swimmers, hats and clothes they may wear in and out of the pool. Ensure they bring sunscreen to reapply regularly.
If you are booked into Esteem - Please email sntsport@arm.catholic.edu.au to book their sport on the return bus to school.
If you have any questions please email us at sntsport@arm.catholic.edu.au
Thanks,
Bree and Nicole
WINTER TRIALS
Schools are invited to send students of a proficient skill level to the Diocesan Winter Trials (League, Netball, Hockey & Soccer) in Armidale on Friday, 6th March, 2026. A Diocesan team will be selected in each sport to represent the Armidale Diocese at the Polding Trials in Bathurst on Friday, 1st of May 2026. In the event that too many proficiently skilled students express interest in attending the Winter Trials, school based trials will be held. This needs to be done as there are limited spots available in the above mentioned sports. Expressions of Interest will be released via Compass.
Event Date: League, Netball, Hockey & Soccer - Friday 6th of March, 2026.
Event Venues:
- Netball - Sport UNE, Armidale (MAXIMUM OF 4)
- Soccer - Sport UNE, Armidale (MAXIMUM OF 6)
All players need to have shin pads. Mouthguards are advised but optional.
- League (Boys 12’s) - Sport UNE, Armidale (MAXIMUM OF 6)
NO 13’s are permitted to trial.
It is recommended that children bring headgear and must have mouthguards.
Eligible DOB for 12’s 1/1/2015 - 31/12/2016.
- Hockey - Sport UNE, Armidale (MAXIMUM OF 6)
All hockey players must have shin pads, mouth guards and their own hockey sticks.
Additional information:
All teams are Open Primary Teams and the trials are for Year 6 students. Talented Year 5 students will be considered at the discretion of the convener. It is a PSSA rule that students turning 13 years in Primary School are not eligible to trial.
RETURN OF UNIFORM
If you have not returned your singlet, could all basketball singlets please be washed and returned to Mrs Maher in the front office as soon as possible.
SPORT INFORMATION ON COMPASS
Just a reminder that the majority of sporting opportunities are only on the Compass Portal and hence, we strongly recommend that you check your Compass Portal on a regular basis.
NETBALL
Hello Netball Families!
Welcome to another year of winter netball, brought to you by the St Nicholas Netball Club! We have played around with Canva to hopefully give you a more reader-friendly format of all the information needed. If your child is interested, they will receive one page that you will need to fill out and hand into the office.
NSG Netball Information for years K, 1, 2, 3, & 4 2026.pdf
Junior (11 & 12 year olds) Information Netball 2026.pdf
- Register and pay for your child on one of the links:
NSG SKILLS Link for Kinder/Year 1 not in a team- guided skills & game at the end.
NSG Modified Games Year 1, 2, 3 & 4 5-10 years old if your child is turning 10 in 2026 and is in Year 5, still use this link. Then Mrs Elliott will contact you with the next steps.
JUNIOR Players Year 5 & 6 or 11-12 year olds.
Please log out of PlayHQ before registering another child!
2. Fill in the paper form and send it into the office at school.
3. Get a uniform for your child to play in!
Come and try on and buy uniforms at school in Year 6 with Mrs Elliott:
Monday 9th February 3:30pm-5pm
Tuesday 10th February 3:30pm-5pm
Saturday 14th February 9am-11am
Monday 16th February 3:30pm-5pm
Tuesday 17th February 3:30-5pm
Saturday 21st February 9am-11am.
4. This (registration) must be completed by Friday 27th February.
Our 2025/2026 AGM will be held on 20/2/26 at 5pm at The Tamworth Hotel. Any and all are welcome!
If you have any questions, please contact the aspiring Diamonds player, Emma Elliott. #athlete 😆
SPORTING CLUB REGISTRATIONS
TOUCH FOOTBALL
Nippers, Steppers and the Primary Comp are all back for terms 1 and 2. All information can also be found on Tamworth Touch Association Facebook page.
NIPPERS & STEPPERS PROGRAM
The 10 week Nippers & Steppers program is the perfect introduction to Touch Football for our youngest players. Includes fun, skills, games and plenty of smiles.
Starts: Monday 2nd March.
Time: 4:45pm – 5:20pm.
Ages:
• Nippers – 5 & under (born 2021/2022)
• Steppers – 7 & under (born 2019/2020)
Cost: $55
Includes singlet for NEW players
Register now using the links:
Nippers https://tinyurl.com/av8a6vud (born 2021/2022)
Steppers https://tinyurl.com/57kjmpry (born 2019/2020)
PRIMARY TOUCH REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
Tamworth Touch is excited to announce that Primary Competition player registrations are now OPEN
Competition starts: Monday 2nd March
Game times: 4:45pm or 5:25pm
Age Divisions
• 9 years (born 2017/2018)
• 11 years (born 2015/2016)
• 13 years (born 2013/2014)
Cost: $65
+ $30 TFA & $30 NSWTA membership (valid 1.7.25 – 30.6.26)
New players receive a Tamworth Touch singlet!
NB/ Maximum 4 representative players per team or if a team exceeds 4 representative players they will be placed in the next age division. Register now https://profile.mysideline.com.au/register/clubsearch
Get your kids involved in a fun, inclusive and fast-paced Touch Football competition this season
If you have any further questions please use the following: tamworthtouch@bigpond.com.au
OZTAG
JUNIOR OZTAG REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Information taken from ‘Tamworth Oztag- Juniors’ Facebook Page- All registrations will be handled through the club and the children will play in a St Nic's team.
Click here to register your child now: https://account.oztagaustralia.assemblesports.io/c/club/tamworthjnrs/login
BASKETBALL
Expressions of Interest are open for their child/ren to play Basketball for St Nicholas in the Tamworth Primary Competition for Semester 1, 2026 (Terms 1 and 2). The comp will start on 26/2/26 and finish 25/6/26 (13 rounds + Finals). Children in Years 3-6 are able to play in this competition.
Expressions of Interest close on 9 February 2026.
Should you have any further questions please feel free to contact sntsport@arm.catholic.edu.au
Please use the following link for EOI: https://forms.gle/ECohHWPXFUi1phPs7
SOCCER
2026 Football Season with North Companions FC
Along with providing an opportunity to be in the largest youth club in the region, providing healthy active living and team experiences with friends and family.
Your registration with North Companions FC will provide you with access to Tamworth Regional Council grounds for your weekly games, access to our Home Grounds for Training at Marius Street, Club activities throughout the year, and End of Year Celebrations.
Read our Welcome Email
2026 Registration Fees :
Registration fees for the 2026 Season have increased due to Football Australia raising player fees ($3 for Juniors and $7 for Seniors). The North Companions committee has approved a small adjustment to help cover the increased costs.
MINIROOS - 5 to 11 years
IMPORTANT for 5 to 11 year Registrations :
The new Playfootball system is not showing the correct Registration Amount, the values below will be what is presented at the checkout when paying.
Entry level (5-7 yrs) - $155 - Register
Junior (8-11 yrs) - $185 - Register
YOUTH COMPETITION 12 to 16 years
Youth (12-16 yrs) - $215 - Register
Tamworth FC
NRL
The NRL HOGS are riding into town!
Join Brad Fittler, Greg Inglis, Yasmin Clydsdale & Olivia Higgins for a FREE footy clinic! Meet the NRL & NRLW super stars and have fun. This clinic is open to 3 to 18-year-olds.
Date: Sunday 8th February
Time: 5:00pm
Location: Longmuir Playing Fields, Gunnedah
Register now for the FREE clinic
Click Link to Register: 2026 HOGS Tour
WHAT'S YOUR SPORTING SUCCESS?
We love celebrating the achievements of our St Nicholas athletes. If your child or team has competed in a weekend game, gala day, or representative trial, we want to hear about it!
Please send all match reports, results, and photos for the newsletter to: sntsport@arm.catholic.edu.au by Monday close of business each fortnight (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10).
- Photos: Please send high-resolution images where possible.
- Details: Include the team name, score, and any standout moments.
Submissions received after this deadline will be included in the following fortnight's edition.