Senior School Sport  & Extra-Curricula Activities

• From the Senior School Sportsmaster
• NSTA Tennis
• Swimming
• Cricket 
• Basketball
• Squash

From the Senior School Sportsmaster

Welcome back to Term 4 and the start of the Summer Sports season.  This weekend sees the start of the MWJCA District Cricket competition along with the NSTA Tennis and NSW Pennants Squash.  In addition we also have some internal basketball trials scheduled at Oxford Falls following the Junior Program, along with our annual Pink Stumps Cricket Day against Oakhill College involving both 1st and 2nd XI Trial Teams.

All ISA competitions begin next weekend - 24 October.

We begin the Summer under revised COVID-19 restrictions.  I draw your particular attention to the protocols pertaining to Attendance.  

A full copy of our COVID protocols for sport can be found below. Please familiarise yourselves with this document.  In addition to the COVID protocols, I also attach the latest SPX Risk Warning document for your consideration.

Please ensure that your sons are fully equipped for their sports and are wearing the correct uniform for each activity.  All boys must also carry their own clearly marked water bottle.  Filling stations are available for refills.  I look forward to catching up with you throughout the season.  In the meantime, please stay COVID-safe.

Mr Matt Stearn - Senior School Sportsmaster

NSTA Tennis

The NSTA competition starts this Saturday, 17 October.  Please ensure that you have the correct uniform to play, as outlined in the email sent home in the holidays, including a hat! A team list has already been sent through to all players and parents, please ensure that you check this carefully. If you cannot find it, a copy of the team list and rules will be linked to this report.

COVID rules (full list attached)

• We will have a play and go strategy, so once all of your games have been played you will then leave the venue. We will start with doubles, then play the singles. Please ensure that your score has been recorded on the scoresheet before you leave.
• At this stage you are allowed only one spectator, if required, for supervision during the matches.
• All pens and folders will be cleaned between 8.00 am and 10.00 am matches.
• New balls will be used for each match, so once you have finished playing you may keep the balls that you have used and just return the yellow bag to the teachers with the score sheet and folder.

Start Times – 8.00 am and 10.00 am. 2hrs match time. Please be at the venue at least 10 - 15 mins prior to your match. Matches should start promptly on time. 5 min warm up. 

Supervision – All home venues are required to supply supervision from the school. This person is to have a WWCC and must remain for the duration of the match with a first aid kit. 

Balls and Scoresheets – Are the responsibility of the home team. School Convenors have access to scoresheets via xpoint. Please make sure the correct players are listed with first initial and last names in full, as reserves may be playing. 

3-point Deuce – When the score reaches deuce (40-40) the players will play the next point to advantage (either server or receiver depending on who won the point). If the team that had the advantage does not win the point it score goes back to deuce. The NEXT POINT WINS. There are no further advantage points played after the 1st advantage.

Tiebreak – Played at 5 – 5 games. First to 7 points. If the score gets to 6-6 in tiebreak team must win by 2 points i.e 8 - 6.

Finals – ALL TEAMS PLAY IN THE FINALS. 1 v 2 Winner and runner playoff 3 v 4 and 5 v 6 play off for placings.

Wet Weather – Home team is responsible for checking court conditions. Please contact Twitter for any updates. 

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Tennis Convenor

Senior Swimming Squad

Training starts on Monday 19 October and continues Tuesdays from 7.15 am – 8.15 am at Fitness First Chatswood every week till Week 7. All swimmers are expected to attend at least one training session each week. All students must wear a cap in the pool otherwise you will not be able to train.

Our first invitation carnival this season is the St Patrick's Invitational Carnival held at the Ryde Aquatic Centre on Friday 6 November commencing at 7.00 pm. All swimmers must attend. More details to follow.

Ms Leisa Proc - Swimming Convenor

SPX Cricket

Final Registrations – Registration for Cricket closes on Saturday 17 October 2020.              There is still opportunity for players in the U14, U15 and U17 age groups to represent the College this summer.

Please contact: Mr Michael Kinna, registrar@stpiuscricket.org.au or via the Registration Flyer attached.

COVID Cricket Protocols – please find attached the Cricket NSW COVID-19 Safety Protocols. These protocols will be in effect at all matches until further notice. Parental and player understanding an assistance is appreciated and thanked in advance.

Cricket during the Term 3 holidays

During the second week of the holidays, the 1st and 2nd XI (Trial) ISA cricket squads played two days of cricket at Oxford Falls. These served as very useful centre wicket hit outs and selection trials for the senior teams this term. 

On Wednesday, the 1st XI had a pleasing victory over St Augustine’s. Having bowled the opposition out for 142, a half century each to Tom Wunsch and Captain, Joe Colgan, saw the total chased down well. Spinners, Liam Kinna and Logan Nicey had most success with the ball. Harrison O’Brien took two wickets in an impressive spell.

The 2nd XI played a game split into 20 over segments. Oscar MacDonald made 86 in aggressive fashion and almost pulled off a great win for the Pius side. 

On Friday an internal trial was played as players from each squad were mixed to provide a competitive contest between bat and ball.

Thanks to the players for their efforts and especially to our ground staff who prepared excellent conditions for so early in the season.

Fixtures – Saturday 17 October 2020

U12 SPX Blue v Seaforth Strikers at Seaforth Oval #1 (Players arrive no later than 12:30 pm, 1.00 pm start) 

U13 SPX Gold v Wakehurst Green at Terrey Hills (Players arrive no later than 7:30 am, 8.00 am start)

U13 Black v Beacon Hill Bulldogs at Passmore Oval #2 (Players arrive no later than 7:30 am, 8.00 am start)

U14 Green v Peninsula Lightning at Kierle Park #1 (Players arrive no later than 7:30 am, 8.00 am start)

U14 SPX Red v St Augustine’s Gold at Griffith Park (Players arrive no later than 7:30 am, 8.00 am start)

U15 SPX Yellow v Wakehurst Red at Nolans Reserve #2 (Players arrive no later than 7:30 am, 8.00 am start)

U17 SPX Purple v Collaroy Plateau Electric at Colloaroy Plateau (Players arrive no later than 7:30 am, 8.00 am start)

2nd XI v Oakhill College – Pink Day @ Oxford Falls at Oxford Falls #2 (Players arrive no later than 8:45 am, 10.00 am start)

1st XI v Oakhill College – Pink Day @ Oxford Falls at Oxford Falls #1 (Players arrive no later than 8:45 am, 10.00 am start)

Players and parents are requested check www.mycricket.cricket.com.au for any late changes.

Pink Day @ Oxford Falls – Saturday 17 October 2020

This Saturday the 1st and 2nd XI will commence the season against Oakhill College in T20 fixtures. The Cricket Club will donate to the McGrath Foundation and the SPX players will wear their blue and pink indigenous reconciliation shirts to recognise the women in their lives.

Mr David Reay - Cricket Convenor

Basketball

Team Lists: Team lists will be put up at school this week. 

Game Draws: I will be sending a draft game schedule with suggested home game times to parents and players next week. Parents and players must check Woodchatta every Wednesday evening for confirmed game times and venues for each Saturday. Round 1 is next Saturday 24 October.

Training: Training for all teams starts next week. Attached to this page is the Term 4 training timetable.

Uniforms: All new players will need to purchase a singlet and shorts from the Uniform shop next week prior to Round 1. Players are allocated a number when they purchase their singlet. Players must wear the correct basketball shorts. Soccer / Football shorts are not to be worn. The Uniform shop is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Score Bench: It is essential that parents and friends help do the scoring at all home games. Please volunteer to do the bench. Attached to this page is a “How to score instruction booklet”. If you are new to scoring just let the referees know prior to the game and they will give you a quick demonstration of what to do.

Mr Neil Gibson - Basketball Convenor

Squash

The Squash season commences in earnest this Saturday. Venues will be at Knox Grammar (The Lawson Centre) and Willoughby Squash courts for home games. Please be aware there is only one parent per player allowed to attend at Knox. More information will be emailed directly to you by Friday.

Mr Joe Madani - Squash Convenor