Sport News

It is hard to believe that we are in Term 4 already. The year is just flying by. Although we are on the run home for sport we still have a number of events to go. The AIC Track and Field Championships are this Thursday and Friday. We have AIC Water Polo and Touch and Esports carnivals in a few weeks.

I am sure you are all aware, but our very own Old Boy Charlie Cameron is an AFL premiership player now as a key part of the Brisbane Lions 2024 AFL premiership team that defeated Sydney Swans 120-60 on Saturday. Charlie remains a strong supporter of AFL here at Marist, often attending matches during the season, particularly the Padua match where we compete for the Cameron-Andrews Cup, named after Charlie and Padua Old Boy, and fellow Lion, Harris Andrews.   

The holiday period was another busy one with 70 of our track and field athletes attending the camp at Chandler, along with holiday training and mini meets at the University of Queensland Athletics Centre. A huge thank you to our dedicated Track and Field staff, led by our wonderful head coach Mr Robin Martin, for your commitment to the boys training and development and Track and Field coordinator Mr Richard Graham for your leadership and organisation. The level of competition for the Marist track and field team is incredible. This is a talented, dedicated group of young men and the depth is reflected in the quality of athletes who have unfortunately missed out on a position on the team. Boys who have been selected in the squad have received notification by now with instructions for the rest of the week and expectations. We are excited about the challenge ahead. 

We also competed in the CBSQ basketball competition, with an eye on 2025 AIC basketball competition, on the Gold Coast. The team performed outstandingly well with the boys winning all pools and finals matches up to the final where unfortunately we lost to Varsity College. It was great to see the boys improve and learn to compete at a more skillful and physical level. The boys played really well finishing runners-up in division two and will be competing in the championship next year. Thank you to Mr John Lambourne and Head Coach Mr James Lidstone and Assistant Matt Richards, both Old Boys, for your support of the boys and leadership at this competition.

Student Achievements

Will Banner (Triathlon)

Last month, Will was selected to wear the Green and Gold and represented Team Australia at the World Triathlon Multisport World Championships in Townsville. Will had a fantastic race, placing 7th in the 16-19 age group Sprint Duathlon (5km run, 20km cycle, 2.5km run). Over 3,000 athletes from 38 countries participated in the event which included a Parade of Nations and Welcome Ceremony. A wonderful experience for Will to represent his country.

Tom Howard (Rugby Union)

Congratulations to Tom on his recent selection in the Australian U18 rugby team to tour New Zealand in October. This is wonderful news for a dedicated and hard-working young man. Best wishes on the tour.   

Stan Grellman (Rugby Union)

Congratulations to Stan Grellman on being selected in the Queensland Reds U14 Gold squad from the recent school holidays. This is great recognition for Stan.

Emerging Reds Cup

Well done to Will Bagnall, Taj Cook and Josh Heinrich who competed in the U16 Emerging Reds Cup over the holidays with the best young rugby players from across Queensland.

Joshua Pope (Cricket)

Joshua Pope (Year 9) was part of the Moreton Magic Under-15 team that won the Century Cricket Brisbane Premier League U15 T20 2024 title over the holidays. Joshua was the player of the match in the Grand Final, capturing three top-five wickets with his left-arm wrist spin (4 overs, 1 maiden, 10 runs, 3 wickets) to help the Magic defeat the Darling Dingoes and defend the title they won last year.

Marist Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby/Track and Field

Mr Rob Martin – Head Coach, Track and Field

Track and Field Camp Review

From Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 September, 60 students participated in a dynamic Track and Field camp using the College facilities, Sleeman Sports Complex and UQ. The camp provided an invaluable experience for the squad to connect with some of the history of the Marist Track and Field program, sharpen their athletic abilities and further strengthen a culture of hard work and humility. A special highlight was the inclusion of 14 Year 6 students on Friday, who were invited to train with the squad at the University of Queensland Athletics Facility. Their participation offered an early introduction to the high standards and bond of the Marist Track and Field program.

The camp kicked off on Thursday morning at Marist College with a series of testing and strength training for the 12-16 years age groups whilst the Opens squad attended a cardio and resilience session under the guidance of Mr Mark Burgess. Following this, Mr Rob Martin delivered an exceptional history of Marist Track and Field and a meeting to align focus and goals for the coming days. That afternoon, the squad competed in an internal meet at UQ, where they continued to compete under pressure and finetune their competitive edge. Friday was dedicated to a full day of intensive training at UQ, balanced with a pool session for recovery and some much-needed downtime after lunch.

On Saturday, the squad returned to Marist for team-building activities, rounding off the camp with a focus on camaraderie and a connection to the College. These activities helped reinforce the unity and strength of the group, setting them up for a strong showing at the upcoming AIC Championships.

A special thanks to our outstanding coaching team, who gave up their time to provide elite guidance and technical development. Their dedication and expertise are integral to the success of the Marist Track and Field program and we are fortunate to have them as a part of our team – Mr Rob Martin, Mr Bill Prole, Mr Paul Kearney, Mr Paul Knight, Mr Laurie Boustead, Mr Eric Brown, Mr Des Davis, Mr Tim Castley, Ms Molly Keir, James Prole, Dan Drew, Zac Newsham and Tom Dempsey.

A big thank you to former Track and Field winning captain, Lee Martin. Lee sacrificed a lot of his own time to attend the camp and support the students both on and off the track. He is not only an outstanding role model, he cares deeply for the program and is a very good young coach.

Thanks also to Mr Brendan Saunders for his commitment to the camp and ensuring the students were well coached and cared for. Brendan continues to provide an extraordinary amount of his own time to support our programs and we are fortunate to have him as a part of our team. 

AIC Track and Field Championship

This Thursday and Friday, Marist College Ashgrove will aim to win its 10th successive AIC Secondary Track and Field Championship and its 4th successive Primary AIC Track and Field Championship. The students have been working tirelessly throughout Term 3, with many attending a recent track and field camp and continuing their preparation over the September school holidays.

The squad is well-prepared and motivated, with the Opens squad leading the team by example through their commitment and desire to see all students reach their potential. Under the expert guidance of Mr. Rob Martin (Head Coach) and an exceptional group of coaches, the team is ready to give their best and compete for continued success at the AIC Championships. Best of luck to all competitors! And a huge thank you to our coaching staff for preparing the squad so well – Mr Bill Prole, Mr Paul Kearney, Mr Paul Knight, Mr Laurie Boustead, Ms Maddie Spann, Mr Mark Conroy, Mr Eric Brown, Mr Des Davis, Mr Tim Castley, Ms Molly Keir, Mr John Lambourne, Connor Duggan, Thomas Prole, James Prole, Lee Martin, Carl Martin, Dan Drew, Zac Newsham and Tom Dempsey.

September Holiday Training and Practice Meets

An important part of our preparation for the AIC Track and Field Championships has been the September holiday training at Marist and practice meets held at UQ. These sessions and meets have provided valuable opportunities for our students to refine their skills and compete against other AIC schools.

A special thank you to St Edmund’s College, St Patrick’s College, Padua College and St Laurence’s College for joining us at the two holiday practice meets, helping to create a stimulating and competitive environment for all involved.

We are also deeply grateful to the Marist staff and coaches who generously gave up their time over the holiday period to support the students. As always, their dedication has made this experience an enjoyable learning opportunity for our squad.

Track and Field Uniform – AIC Championship

Thanks to everyone for their support with this matter. We have had the majority of students training and competing in the correct uniform.

With the AIC Championship this week, a reminder that the DRESS CODE for Thursday and Friday is as per the 2024 Track and Field Handbook. Marist T&F singlet, Marist sports shorts and white or blue socks.

Please use the time on Wednesday to make sure you have the correct uniform as we will be competing in the AIC Championship AS A TEAM wearing this uniform.

Track and Field Handbook

Please see the Marist app for the 2024 Track and Field Handbook.

The Handbook includes the relevant Track and Field information for students and parents/guardians. If you have any further questions, please contact Mr Richard Graham.

Marist Track and Field – Social Media 

@marist_ashgrove_sports

Marist College has continued to showcase incredible moments in Track and Field again this year, from Year 5 victories to exceptional feats by our Year 12 students, all vividly captured on our social media pages.

Follow us and stay up-to-date with Marist Track and Field on Instagram - @marist_ashgrove_sports

Tennis

Mr Andrew Ward - Director of  Tennis

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone enjoyed a well-deserved break (and if you didn’t get time off, I salute you). Term 4 coaching kicked off yesterday and it was fantastic to see all the boys back on the courts, eager to swing into action!

Term 4 Coaching

There are still a few spots left in our squads, so if you haven’t secured your place yet, now’s the time! Don’t wait until you’re left practising your serves solo - book in quickly to avoid disappointment.

Friday Fixtures

Mark your calendars! Friday fixtures will begin at the end of Week 3, starting on Friday 18 October from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. You can register for this via the booking portal. Don’t miss out on some great match practice!

Marist Doubles Tournament – This Friday!

Calling all doubles enthusiasts! The Open and Primary Marist Doubles Tournament is this Friday 4 October, kicking off at 3:30pm. It’s a one-afternoon-only event, so get those entries in ASAP by emailing mcatennis@marash.qld.edu.au.

Marist Open Singles Tournament – Quarter Finals

The singles tournament wraps up next Friday 11 October at 3:30pm. We’re down to the quarter-finals and we encourage all participants to attend and give it their best shot. For those who didn’t make the finals, there’s a consolation tournament, so you still have a chance to finish strong!

AIC Campaign Wrap-Up

A huge thank you to all the students who were part of this year’s AIC campaign. Although we finished second overall in the aggregate and second with our 1st IV team, it was a stellar season. We celebrated two premierships with our Year 7B and Year 9B teams and our Year 5A and Year 5B teams went undefeated—what an achievement! This success speaks volumes about the dedication of our coaches in nurturing the next generation of tennis stars.

A Shoutout to Our Coaches

A special thanks to the coaching team for their relentless commitment. Together, we’re pushing each player to new heights and though we’ve climbed far, there’s always one more hurdle to clear. See you on the court!

Swimming

Mr James Boyce - Director of Swimming

Welcome Back to Term 4 Swimming

I’m thrilled to welcome everyone back to the pool as we kick off our preparation for the 2025 AIC Swimming Championships. Remember, consistent preparation leads to consistent performance. This season, our focus is on individual improvement, which will help elevate our team as a whole and ensure accountability for every swimmer.

Training AttendanceWe will be tracking attendance at all sessions. To qualify for selection, each year group must meet a minimum attendance requirement. This encourages fairness and dedication from everyone.

Timetable Adjustments for Primary School

• Year 5 (2025): Training starts on Wednesday, 9 October, and will continue Monday and Wednesday afternoons throughout Term 4.
• Year 6 (2025): Training begins on Tuesday, 8 October, with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Year 7–12 (2025) Training for Year 7–12 will commence on Tuesday, 1 October, from 3:30 pm to 4:15 pm.

Please refer to this week’s timetable below. The full weekly schedule will be available on the app and the college newsletter.

Year 5 - 2025

Year 6 - 2025

Year 7 – 12 – 2025 

AIC Athletics Athletes

I’d like to wish the entire Athletics team the very best of luck for the AIC Championships. As a reminder, any athletes competing in the AIC Athletics events should prioritize their training for that competition over swimming sessions during this period.

For any concerns or queries, feel free to reach out at swim@marash.qld.edu.au.

Marist Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby/Track and Field

Australian Rugby Union U18 Team

Congratulations to 1st XV Captain, Tom Howard, on his selection in the Australian Rugby Union U18 team to tour New Zealand. Having been originally chosen in a 40-man squad, Tom’s exceptional form throughout the season and again in the trial games last week ensured his selection in the final squad of 26 players to tour New Zealand.

The Australian U18 team is the highest level of national representation in this age group and Tom joins a select list of Marist students across the years to be chosen. 

In New Zealand they will play two Tests against the New Zealand Schools Barbarians (Monday 2 October) and the New Zealand Secondary Schools (Friday 6 October). 

This is the first time since 2019 that the Australian U18’s side has toured New Zealand, with the previous tour seeing the Australian team victorious in an enthralling 18-14 victory in Hamilton, New Zealand. 

We wish Tom all our best.

Term 4 – Preseason Training

Preseason rugby union training for current Years 9-11 students will kick off in Term 4 with an optional five-week training block. This is a great opportunity for any interested students to learn how to train both on the field and in the gym. Mr Richard Graham, Mr Chris Daykin, Mr Charlie Taylor, Mr Paddy Conn and Mr James Trebbin will lead the field sessions, whilst the athletic development will be under the guidance of our Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Mr Adam Earnshaw.

There will be an important meeting in the Draney Theatre during Break 1 on Wednesday 2 October, to discuss details and expectations. The training block will begin on Wednesday 9 October.

For all updates and information, please follow the notices on the Marist app. 

Emerging Reds Cup – U14

Congratulations to Stanley Grellman (Year 9) on his selection for the U14 Reds Gold squad. 

The high-performers at Under-14s level at the Buildcorp Emerging Reds Cup have won selection for a Reds U14s development game at Ballymore Stadium on October 6.

Following last week’s successful ERC tournament, squads of 24 boys for Reds Gold and Reds Navy have been named to prepare for the match.

We wish Stanley all our best.

The Armidale School Rugby Carnival 2025 – U12 EOI

We are excited to announce that Marist College Ashgrove will be registering for a place in The Armidale School Rugby Carnival for U12s on April 12 and 13, 2025. Registration for the carnival takes place on September 16 with confirmation of a place shortly after.

The carnival is a significant event in the junior rugby calendar and as per carnival rules, we are looking forward to selecting a strong team of 20 students to represent the College. To ensure ample preparation for families and also for the staff and students, team selection will take place in Term 4, 2024, with trials scheduled for Week 2 and 3.

Due to the carnival being an age group event and not a year level event and the urgency to start organising, we will be selecting a team based on the below criteria -

Please note, to be eligible: 

• Students must be born in 2013 
• Students must be enrolled at the College in 2024 

Given the popularity of the carnival and based on advice from the organisers and schools who are regular participants, we have been told that accommodation will need to be secured ASAP. Students will be required to travel to Armidale and stay with their own families and early team selection will allow time for planning and organisation. Along with the 20 students selected, an additional 3-5 students will be named as standbys which I understand is a difficult scenario for those involved. 

For those interested in participating, please go to Parent Portal > Extra Curricular > XV Rugby > U12 and register your interest. 

We understand the challenge of organising planning so far out from the event and also the challenges with team selection amidst Term 1 AIC sports preparations and we appreciate your understanding and support.

Marist Rugby Union – Social Media 

@marist_ashgrove_rugby

In 2024, the College continues to deliver some wonderful rugby memories through our social media pages. From the smallest bumblebees in Year 5 through to the biggest bumblebees in Year 12, all of it is captured in wonderful colour.

To stay connected with Marist rugby and with all the program’s achievements, please follow our Instagram page @marist_ashgrove_rugby.