SSP NEWS

Soccer

The excitement around soccer now is huge, especially with the girls in our female soccer program. The week started off with a couple our girls scoring some tickets for the Matilda's match v France game ( courtesy of the school ) and meeting their idol, Sam Kerr.  The week ended with our Female Team dismantling all their competition in the Geelong Secondary Schools Victoria competition. Our female team will now head down the highway to take on the best in the Regional later this term.

The World Cup which begins tonight (Thursday), it will be an amazing opportunity for everyone in the country to get behind our Matilda's team and really support them. It gives our girls in the program a closer look at what it takes to become a National Team Player and what pride it brings to the country. 

Keep believing and Keep Dreaming, 

Go Matilda's and well Done Western Heights  !

Joey Didulica, Director of Soccer 

SENIOR BOYS SOCCER

In an exhilarating display of sportsmanship, the Senior Boys from Western Heights College participated in the Geelong Region Interschool Round Robin Soccer Tournament. Despite being more accustomed to the AFL, these young athletes demonstrated incredible teamwork and determination, leaving a lasting impression on the competition finalists, whom we both fortunately played.

The tournament began with two pool games, where our boys showcased their adaptability and willingness to excel in an unfamiliar sport. Despite their limited experience in soccer, they managed to secure two hard-fought draws, showcasing their quick understanding of the game's fundamentals and their unrelenting tenacity on the field.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the semi-final match, where Western Heights College faced off against a formidable opponent Oberon. The Western Heights Boys, excited by their newfound passion for soccer, put up a valiant fight and displayed extraordinary teamwork, but ultimately fell short in a closely contested match. Nonetheless, they left the field with their heads held high, knowing they had given their all.

Congratulations to the Senior Boys for their outstanding performance and for demonstrating that with teamwork, dedication, and a willingness to step out of their comfort zone, they can conquer any sporting arena. I look forward to witnessing their continued growth as both AFL and potential soccer players. I am certain that their future sporting endeavours will be equally remarkable.

Many Thanks to Ms Fowler for assisting and supporting the team today!

Well Done & Go Western Heights College!

WHC Team Results:

Pool Game 1 (Drew) WHC – 1 V’s Belmont HS – 1

Pool Game 2 (Drew) WHC – 1 V’s Grovedale SC – 1

Semi Final (Lost) WHC – 1 V’s Oberon SC – 2

Senior Boys Soccer Report

Gary Beasley, Senior Teacher and Coach at Western Heights College

Netball 

Welcome back to Term 3 with the Specialist Netball Program hitting the ground running! Yep straight back into action with a jam-packed term of events. 

SSV Competition 

On Monday the Intermediate girl’s teams participated in the Geelong Region SSV Competition at Geelong Sports Hub with both our Navy and Orange Squads achieving clean sweeps of their pool matches and wins in their semi-finals and advancing to take out convincing victories in their respective Grand finals. A fantastic effort from our Intermediate group in their first real hit out this year. All players should be commended on their conduct and sportsmanship on the day whilst representing their school. The Navy Squad will progress to the Western Metropolitan Stage of SSV next Tuesday in Altona.

Our Senior SSV Squad made their season debut Thursday again with a clean sweep of their pool matches, followed by a strong performance in the Semi Final to set up a Grandfinal appearance against Matthew Flinders. The players all stepped up to the occasion taking out the Grandfinal and booking a place in next Tuesdays Western Metropolitan Region Championships alongside the Intermediates. 

Netball Victoria Schools Championships 

The Netball Victoria Schools Championships kicked off Thursday in rain, wind and overcast conditions at Kardinia Park. WHC had a strong representation of 2 Intermediate and 2 Junior sides, the most of any school participating and were a strong presence across all Levels and Pools all day as they took on many of Geelong and surrounding regions Independent, Private and Catholic Schools, including some from Melbourne also.

Junior Navy Squad - Equal Top of the Ladder

Junior Orange had a strong win and draw

Intermediate Navy had 3 strong wins and a narrow loss,

Intermediate Orange had 2 great wins

Well done to all who participated across these 2 events this past week a huge effort by all. A massive thankyou to our great Netball Coaching Group of Stacey, Ainsley, Georgia and Charli as well Lauren Marino stepping in to ensure our program and players are well supported over a busy period. Thanks also to Zoe, Ella C, Jordan, Meyah, Loni, Amarli and Tahlia who played important support roles whilst unfortunately injured and finally Cate Johnson for her tireless work in support of our coaching group and students.

In our Education Session we have commenced our Nutrition module where we have been focusing on Meal Plans for single game and tournament events and how we can ensure we are well organised and prepared to ensure we fuel and hydrate properly before, during and after. We look forward to our guest speaker Sam Coppinger attending to present to the SSP group on 7th August.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following players who have been selected in the Barwon Region Squad for upcoming State Titles in October -  Lexie Whatley and Meyah Fursland. Also best wishes to Meyah for next weeks SSV 15 Girls AFL Carnival.

Well done Madi Boxshall who has also been selected in the initial Netball Victoria Central West Academy Squad after being recognised for her performance at Central West Association Championships. We wish Madi all the best for the upcoming trial process.

Well done all on a great start to the term!!

Susan Meaney, Director of Netball

Football

Intermediate Boys AFL WMR Regional Semi-Finals

The Winter Reserve grounds in Belmont were abuzz with excitement as the WHC Intermediate Boys AFL enthusiasts showcased their skills in the eagerly anticipated WMR Regional Semi-Finals Competition. The atmosphere was calm & confident, with the coaches and parents in attendance admiring the team’s thrilling display of teamwork and strategic brilliance.

The first match of the day kicked off with an intense clash between the WHC and Manor Lakes SC. Both teams demonstrated impressive ball control and communication, adhering perfectly to their game plan. WHC exhibited exceptional teamwork, passing the ball seamlessly, and constantly supporting each other on the field. They managed to execute their set plays with precision, leaving their opponents scrambling to defend. Their coach's emphasis on disciplined defence and quick transitions paid off as they secured a solid victory.

In the next game, WHC faced off against Williamstown HS. WHC quickly grouped and showcased the benefits of sticking to their well-drilled game plan. With relentless pressure and an unyielding focus on teamwork, they managed to control the game and ensure the result was in their favour. The players demonstrated an impressive understanding of their roles on the field, implementing strategies learned in countless training sessions. WHC celebrated a hard-fought triumph, a testament to their dedication to teamwork and team discipline.

Throughout the day, the day the WHC team consistently stood out for their strategic brilliance. Their coaches had instilled a strong emphasis on strategic thinking and it showed in their gameplay. Whether it was through precise zoning and positioning or exploiting gaps in the opponents' defence, WHC exhibited a level of sophistication beyond their years and therefore in their last Round Robin game against Bacchus Marsh SC they were able to dominate the scoreboard. The team’s ability to adapt players to different positions was commendable and often left their teammates in awe. 

In conclusion, the Intermediate Boys AFL WMR Regional Semi-Finals Competition was a resounding success, thanks to the incredible efforts of all participating teams. WHC was the successful winner of the day’s competition. They exhibited a level of synergy that only comes from dedicated teamwork and an unwavering commitment to their shared goals. Their next game will be the WMR Regional Final to be held in Werribee next week. Many Thanks go to the Coaches and Officials for the day.

Results:

Game One: Western Heights College V Manor Lakes SC

                       22-8-140                                      0-1-1

Goals: J Lewis 5, K Smith 3, B Hansford 3, C Grant 3, J Chandler 2, N Maultby 1, J Elzinga 1, N Williams 1, A Massari 1, A Siketa-Spanic 1, S Losinno 1

Game Two: Western Heights College V Williamstown HS

                       18-8-116                                      0-0-0

Goals: M Chapman 4, J Chandler 3, K Smith 2, B Hansford 2, M Williams 1, J Thomson 1, T McAuliffe 1, L Losinno 1, D Thorpe 1, J Beard 1, J Lewis 1

Game Three: Western Heights College V Bacchus Marsh SC

                      17-7-109                                      0-0-0

Goals: J Thomson 3,  J Chandler 3, T McAuliffe 2, M Williams 2, N Williams 2,  Greaves 1, C Grant 1, J Elzinga 1, K Smith 1, B Hansford 1

Gary Beasley, Senior Teacher and Coach at Western Heights College