2017 KINGSTON ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Following on from the success of the school carnival, on Thursday 7 September, 104 students descended on Duncan Mackinnon Reserve to represent the school at the Kingston Division Athletics Championships.

It was a real team effort, with McKinnon placing on the podium in nearly all the events on the day. Out of the 104 students competing, 59 have successfully qualified to represent the district at the Southern Metropolitan Regional Finals in October.

The team also brought home the pennants for Junior, Intermediate and Senior Girls and Intermediate and Senior Boys, and the overall team pennant. We also had a number of students who won the age group champions, these were: Seamus O’Brien, Cara Smith, Xavier Verdnik, Yotam Kimchi and Jemma Owen.

Good luck to all the students competing in SMR, this our biggest squad ever representing the school, an amazing achievement.

Alice Carter

Organiser

NETBALL VICTORIAN ALL SCHOOLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Intermediate Boys and Girls played at the Netball Victorian All Schools State Championships on Tuesday 12 September. This day was a culmination of hard work and commitment with weekly training, inter school and regional Finals.

All school competitions are open to all schools in Victoria from state, independent and private sectors - so we played a number of schools that we would otherwise not come up against in our normal VSSSA competitions.

The Girls team had a tough draw with nine games over the day including schools like Genazzano College and Rowville Sports Academy. The girls had some great successes in each of the games, but were unable to make the Finals finishing a very respectable 6th in the state.

The Boys team had less teams in their draw and therefore had to play each team twice. They had some very good wins early and narrow losses that meant they had to win the final pool game to make Finals. They won comfortably and then played Aquinas College in the Semi-Final. A strong first half from Jackson Hannah saw the team qualify for the Grand Final against Lilydale. The boys had a slow start, but fought back from a 5-1 deficit at half time to lose by 3 in the dying minutes and take out the Silver Medal.

Tim Blackwood

Head of Physical Education and Sport

STATE CHAMPIONS YET AGAIN

Kingston Heath Soccer Complex is a funny old place. It is located opposite DFO and is without a doubt, the windiest soccer complex known to humanity. When the girls won through the Zone to State a few weeks ago with only nine players, if you don’t mind, the wind was the strongest factor in deciding games it seemed. That and the much vaunted McKinnon girls passing ability.

Back at ‘Windy Hill’ for the state showdown, McKinnon arrived with more than nine players and was ready to rock. Arriving shortly before kick-off for their first game v Balwyn, the McKinnon girls took a little while to find their rhythm but won 4-1 in what was a good standard game.

Everyone contributed against a team that had some dangerous players.

Next up was Wodonga Senior Secondary College who were dispatched 5-0. There was some great attacking play from our midfielders and strikers in this game as it seemed we launched wave after wave of attack. It was great football to watch and the girls have really gelled as a team, covering for each other and displaying great skill and movement off the ball.

The team only needed to draw their last game to make the Final. The girls came out and won 9-0 against Nagle College, and totally dominated the game. There was some unbelievable attacking prowess displayed but it was simply just great football. The girls were now in the State Final decider with an unbeaten record where they would play Ballarat Secondary College.

After a rousing pre-match address by coaches Cassie Semple, David Machin and myself, the girls strode out to the pitch for the Final. Within three minutes Ballarat were ahead, with their lively striker causing much damage and scoring a goal. A coaching move was made with Schuyler King reverting to right back where she duly stopped the Ballarat striker from having any real effect on the game. In big games, the big players always make their mark and so it was with Melina Ayres scoring a hat trick in the Final, which resulted in the McKinnon Girls winning the final 3-1 and becoming State Champions yet again.

Everyone contributed so well throughout the day. Maya Mackey was monumental in goal. The defence, capably led by Sophie Highnam, Anthea Guerra and Ebony Lockton were reliable and calm, passing the ball well out of defence. The effort of Schuyler King in the Final has already been noted. The Midfield which consisted of Lily Mackey, Grace Mackay, Claire Pardo and Chloe Sloman all had their moments of greatness. Joining this quartet was the irrepressible Annissa Koletsas and Steph Tsamourtzis who not only fitted into the team well but belied their young age on the big stage, totally dominating and not taking a backward step on the pitch. Upfront were Haylee Cohen, Jemma Owen and Bella Lignos who ran the legs off the opposition. Topping off this great team was the masterful Melina Ayres who at times it seemed owned the ball, such was her dominance. The team would not have made the State Final without the efforts of Teresa Morrissey who was sadly injured but came along to roar her support.

It was a superb effort and showed character and skill in tough conditions.

Congratulations Girls

Cassie Semple, Jonathan Jhoomun and the calm David Machin.

LACROSSE VICTORIA CHAMPIONSHIPS

McKinnon sent two talented Senior Girls Teams to compete in the Lacrosse Victoria Championships at Paisley Park, Altona on Monday 11 September.

A TEAM REPORT

R 1 v Maribyrnong: 10-6 Loss

R 2 v Williamstown: 5-1 WIN

R 3 v McKinnon B: 5-4 WIN

R 4 v Emmanuel: 5-7 Loss

Despite being a gloomy, rainy day, McKinnon's Softcrosse team embarked on a journey to fulfil their destiny in competing in the Lacrosse Victoria School's competition. We came across our first obstacle with a very short game against Maribyrnong. The score was 2-3 in their favour. Fortunately, it was rescheduled for later in the day and we were able to have another crack at them.

In a more successful manner, our team played valiantly to defeat Williamstown with a staggering score of 5-1. Next we came across who else, but the McKinnon B team. We put aside our familiarities to enjoy a tough game with genuine rivalry. We were victorious with a close score of 5-4.

In our penultimate match, we found ourselves up against Emmanuel College to which they proved too strong after a gruelling game, finishing 5-7.

To finish off we played our rescheduled match against Maribyrnong. We began fiercely, getting a quick lead of 3 goals. However, in the second half, our opposition turned the game around, overtaking our score and winning the match 10-6 to advance to the Finals. Our girls put in their best effort to win two matches and end the day in third place. Thanks to Mrs Hooper for preparing us for competition and supporting us throughout the day. We enjoyed going the scenic route.

MC what ?? MCK!!!

Jess Strudwick

Captain

B TEAM REPORT

On a cold rainy day, the McKinnon Lacrosse Squad headed off to Altona to play in the Senior Girls competition. The first game we played was against Emmanuel College. After a slow start we started to come back but we lost 3-10. The second game we played was against our own McKinnon A Team. It was a close game but we went down 4-5. Next game was Maribyrnong Secondary College where we fought hard but could not convert and went down 10-3.

Our last game of the day was against Williamstown who also had not won a game. We were very competitive, and had lots of fun but we lost 7-3.

Thanks to Mrs Hooper for her assistance, coaching and support. Overall, it was a really fun day and everyone enjoyed it.

Katrina Gill

Captain

INTERMEDIATE BOYS FUTSAL

It was a cold and wet Wednesday but the elite squad for the Intermediate Boys Futsal were not going to let the spirit of the day die down. Up and roaring, the boys were practising their passes and shots, ready to go prior to other schools rocking up. Playing in a diamond formation with strong bonding between the players, it made it very difficult for any team to come close to the class and edge that these group of gentlemen provided. We were able to successfully win all games with no rest.

The A and B team both proved untouchable and well deserved Kingston Champions. A big thanks to Michael Koletsas (Year 11) for coaching the A team to victory.

Kirby McConnon

Coach

INTERMEDIATE BOYS SOCCER

The Intermediate Boys Soccer team made the short trip to Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Wednesday 13 September for the State Finals.

The first game against Rowville proved extremely challenging. Rowville's speed and precision left us chasing shadows for much of the first half. We put in an improved performance in the second half but the damage had already been done.

We were behind early in the game against Wodonga, but equalised when Kai Smith's magnificent run past five opponents and a precise cross was put into the net by Levi Scholz. Despite attacking for much of the second half, we were unable to pull off a win.

Our final game was a comfortable 6-0 victory against Kurnai. However, it was only enough for the final result to be second in our group, as Rowville won all three of its group games very comfortably.

All of the boys deserve credit for their performances as they worked hard and put together some very nice passages of play over the course of the day.

Matthew Shaw

Coach

YEAR 7 GIRLS BADMINTON

The Year 7 Girls Badminton team competed in the State Championships on Tuesday 19 September. The girls had a shaky start, unfortunately losing to East Doncaster Secondary College in the first match. However, they made a remarkable comeback, winning the next two matches. They won convincingly against Kilmore International School 5 sets to 1.

The Girls team consisting of Victoria Sinyavker, Joanne Lee, Chloe Shin and Yuxi Zhao, (coached by Mrs Hooper and assisted by Linda Nguyen), came out a close but well earned victory against Drouin Secondary College. It all came down to the last doubles, which the girls won. This meant they were into the State Semi Finals with four schools remaining!!

The next game was against Maribyrnong College and it was extremely tough. The girls fought hard but the competition was too strong. The team were very proud of their achievements getting through to the Semi Finals and thoroughly enjoyed representing the college and experiencing a State Final. Finishing as one of the top four teams in the State was so exciting.

Congratulations Girls!!

Linda Nguyen

Assistant Coach