Here…we…go!

After a whirlwind start to the term with three trials in five days for basketball and tennis, our teams are now ready to begin their shortened AIC season with our first fixtures against St. Edmund’s College and Ambrose Treacy commencing this weekend. We are excited for our students that they are able to resume representing their College in sport and we particularly hope that our senior students enjoy the opportunity for one last time. Good luck to each and every Marist College Ashgrove student this weekend.

I would like to thank Mr Matt Ingram (cross country), Mr David Hodge (Tennis – RISE) and Mr Michael Connolly (basketball) who have worked tirelessly with help from various age coordinators and numerous coaches in organizing the preseason schedule for our students. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Mr Brendan Jansons and Mr Matt Tarlinton who have both worked closely with the sports department in ensuring that all COVID-19 procedures are followed to make sure everyone stays healthy. It has been a tougher task than usual with such a short season and their efforts have been brilliant!

SPORT CLASHES COMING UP

It was always going to end up being a term where sports inevitably crossed over and where students would be required to juggle numerous commitments. We have worked hard to provide a schedule where there are not many clashes so please check this carefully.

It is not a year where any sport has precedence over the other and we expect all students and staff to work collaboratively to ensure students can do everything.

SEASON DRAWS

A reminder to everyone that this year the AIC draws for sport see all colleges playing matches in a pool system. Once the three matches in your pool are complete then the last weekend will see a cross-pool finals system take place. Your final placing in your pool will determine which final playoff your team will make. Every match is vital to ensure your team finishes as high on the ladder as possible.

COVID-19 PROCEDURES

While we would love nothing more than to have all parents and supporters back for the start of this term, unfortunately, the AIC management committee have agreed that will continue with only allowing spectators for OPEN Year 12 matches. To ensure we are following social distancing and guidelines for indoor venues this is still to one parent/guardian per student only. It is hoped that when we commence our Internal trials for rugby & football, we will be following outdoor guidelines for spectators with social distancing measure in place.

Easy process to follow – DROP OFF & PICK UP ONLY

Open spectators – please ensure if you are attending sporting venues that you follow the COVID procedures designed by each College (listed at the end of the newsletter) and sign in at the necessary check-in points.

INFORMATION (training, trials, wet weather)

It has been a little frustrating this week, given the amount of information in this newsletter each week and on the college APP, to have some students approach staff not knowing information about basketball and tennis.

As a weekly task please ensure you are checking the following source for information:

College APP – training schedules, weekend draws, wet weather updates and link to sports newsletter
Sports newsletter – important reminders, upcoming events, individual sport sections, weekend results, COVID-19 plans
Emails – reminders to check the sources above! J
Student Notices – lunch meetings

TRACK & FIELD

Each week Monday is a compulsory team training session for ALL events each week. All students are expected to attend this session. Training will continue throughout the week for different events and all students are expected to communicate regularly with their event coaches/coordinators about their availability each week.

T&F team meeting – FRIDAY JULY 17 @ second break on Mezzanine. All Year 7-12 students!!

RUGBY / FOOTBALL

The focus of next week is to reintroduce boys to these sports and begin the physical preparation and safety aspects of each code.

Please ensure you check the schedule in the relevant sections of this newsletter and have all of your equipment organised.

Kind regards,

David Miles

Head of Sport

Sport Extra