Sports

It has been a very busy time in Friends’ sport over the winter months. There have been 36 teams with over 300 students competing in an array of competitions including Girls AFL, Cross Country, Badminton, Hockey, Soccer, Netball and Water Polo.

As well as developing skills and fitness, Co-curricular sport is an integral element for allowing the students to develop teamwork, friendships and respect amongst their peers, fostering a strong connectedness and sense of pride when representing The Friends’ School. Whilst commitment, sportsmanship and doing your best are encouraged at all year levels, congratulations to the teams who have been fortunate enough to play in finals this year. Some highlights over the term have included:

The Girls 1sts AFL team who won the SSATIS premiership in only the second year the competition has run and narrowly lost in the State final against St Pats in an intense and enthralling final.

The girls 9/10 Hockey team won the Division 2 Schools competition in a close game against MacKillop which was the first time for a number of years that a Friends’ team had won this competition.

The SSATIS Cross Country team winning five shields at the SSATIS Cross Country Carnival.

The Sailing team placing 3rd at the Nationals and earning a place to compete at the Pacific Rim Inter-Doms in New Zealand.

The Open Boys and Girls Water Polo teams both making the Grand Final with the girls winning the Premiership in a thrilling game while the boys narrowly lost in another closely contested game.

In Badminton, there are currently eight teams playing in Finals. Good luck to these teams as their season draws towards a close.

To be able to provide these opportunities, we would like to especially thank the coaches - both older students who have volunteered their services, parents and staff. Thanks also to the parents who have volunteered as managers or scorers. Your support is greatly appreciated. Without your continued support, it would not be possible to have so many students participate in sport.

If you would like to coach a Friends' team in the future, please contact John White at jwhite@friends.tas.edu.au.

SATIS AFL

Year 12 student, Harry Joyce, was recently selected for the SATIS team (the only representative from The Friends' School!) that travelled to Melbourne last weekend to play an APS (Associated Public Schools) side. The match was overseen by AFL talent scouts as part of AFL recruitment processes. The SATIS side was defeated 79-52 but Harry said; "It was an awesome experience and a great opportunity to represent Tassie's independent schools."

The team was coached by Mitch Hills (SPC), Blair Brownless (GYC) and Laine Cleaver (SPC), with Adrian Finch (LCGS) as Team Manager. Along with our Friends' representative, Harry, the SATIS side had representatives from Guildford Young College, Scotch Oakburn, Launceston Grammar, St Patrick’s College, St Brendan-Shaw, Marist Regional College and Hutchins.