SPORTS NEWS, Rugby

On Friday 18th November, our Boy’s Rugby Team competed in the State Finals of the Robbie Kearns Shield. The event was held at Jacana Reserve with students being represented across Year 7, 8 and 9.

In the lead up to the State Finals, Craigieburn Secondary College comfortably won their division of the Gala Cup but the anticipation was that the State Final would be extremely competitive. Each team was scheduled to play 4 games in their pool before being eligible for the finals.

In the first round against Tarneit College, our expectations were realised with the game tied at 8 all in the first break. In the second half, Craigieburn Secondary College lifted to narrowly win the game. Mr Ieremia, the coach of the team, immediately recognized the challenge that lay ahead. In the next three rounds, Craigieburn Secondary College were up to the task set by the opposition. Every player was contributing to the on-field performance, either directly in their playing role, cheering from the sidelines or assisting with water to keep the players hydrated. With strategic planning which included rotating subs, we managed to advance to the Semi Finals.

The Semi-Final was a physical encounter, with Craigieburn Secondary College doing what was required to advance to the grand final against Hampton Park. In the huddle between the semi and final, the talk was ‘that it all comes down to this- 2X10 min halves’, ‘reset/refocus’ and ‘we have got this’. Throughout the final, Craigieburn Secondary College was in control. Every player stepped-up their intensity and rallied around each other and literally wore down the opposition. When the final siren rang, there was a sense of relief, celebration and recognition that ‘we got the job done’.

In recognition of their performance, the school will receive a framed jersey signed by the team at Melbourne Storm

Congratulations to Mr Ieremia and the boys for an outstanding exhibition of teamwork and relentless persistence to complete 6 games in the tournament and become the State Champions. I hope that the team remembers and celebrates their achievement but, also that they re-group, and build on this result for the future.

Mr Ieremia and Mr Owen