Sport

TERM 2 Sports Report 

Blackburn High School Sport has had yet another successful term, sending out several teams to the Whitehorse division competitions. In the second half of this term there was high representation and success in sports such as Netball, Soccer, Badminton and Australian Rules Football. There has been several Year 7 and Year 8 competitions to round out the term, many of which, BHS has entered multiple teams in and progressed to EMR. The students have demonstrated a great amount of success in these sports as highlighted below. 

For the Netball, we entered three Year 7 girls, three Year 8 girls and two Junior boy's teams into the Whitehorse Division competitions. All teams were highly successful with BHS only losing 1 match (Blackburn B vs Blackburn C). As a result, all A teams will progress to the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Finals early in term 3. 

The Year 7 Boys, and the Year 8 Boys Australian Rules Football teams were also successful in their Whitehorse Division competitions, winning their way through to Eastern Metropolitan Quarter Finals. Both teams had a tough competition and represented BHS with a positive effort at the Quarter Final, the Year 7 Boys won the Quarter final round and will advance to the Regional Final in July.  

The success has not stopped there, the Year 8 boys and Year 7 girls Soccer teams also won the Whitehorse Division competition and will compete in the Eastern Metropolitan Finals, on the 22nd July and 4th of August, respectively. 

It is fantastic to see BHS entering teams in every competition on offer, and often multiple teams, when other schools fail to enter one.  

Term 3 begins with a number of Eastern Metropolitan Finals – Senior Boys, Intermediate Girls and Intermediate Boys AFL, Senior Boys and Girls Netball, Year 7 Girls Soccer and Netball, and Year 8 Boys Soccer. Good luck to all the students who are representing BHS! Week 3 of Term 3 also sees the last of the Whitehorse Division round robin competitions for the intermediate age group, participating in basketball, table tennis and hockey. Enjoy your last interschool sport days for the year. 

I want to also congratulations the following students for their outside of school sports achievements this term: 

Olivia Roche (Yr 11) announced in the State Schools Diving Team 

Ryan Hutchings (Yr 9) announced for the School Sport Victorian Volleyball Team. 

Imogen Firth, Levi Prismall, Darcy Mccall, James Wilson and Mason Porter (Yr 9) who were selected to represent EFNL Junior development Team in the Victorian Metro AFL Competition on the Queen’s Birthday Weekend. 

Once again, congratulations to all the students for their sporting achievements and good luck with future sport competitions! 

Year 9 Gym Fit 

On Thursday, 2nd June 10 Year 9 Gym Fit students sweated it out in a high intensity session at Body Fit in Blackburn. Students completed a range of exercises across 10 stations consisting of 30 seconds work and 15 seconds’ rest. The students completed 4 rounds of this routine which resulted in a heart pumping, kilojoule burning 40-minute workout.  

Junior Girls AFL SSV District 

On Thursday, 9th June 18 very excited Year 8 girls took the field at Koonung Reserve in the SSV District AFL round robin. All 18 players made valuable contributions throughout the day with all players experiencing a range of positions and playing 100% game time. The work rate, effort, and competitive spirit was displayed in abundance. Lilly Griffiths, Harani Schauble and Yasmin Wright Jones were outstanding in the midfield engine room covering kilometres, accumulating possession after possession and steamrolling through the opposition. The physicality and tackling was ferocious with many girls rewarded with a holding the ball decision. Tiahn Eade, Josie Harvey and Amalia Ong were other key players around the ground. The 2-point loss to Koonung ultimately meant BHS will not be progressing to the EMR. Despite this outcome, all girls had a great time with many playing their first ever official game of AFL. All girls were fantastic ambassadors for BHS and I look forward to seeing them representing the school in future sporting fixtures.     

Round 1: BHS 2 goals, 1 behind, 13 points were defeated by Koonung 2 goals, 3 behinds, 15 points 

Goal kicker: Lilly Griffiths 2 

Round 2: BHS 6 goals, 15 behinds, 51 points defeated EDCS 0 goals, 0 behinds, 0 points 

Goal kickers: Harani Schauble 2, Cassie Rowell, Lilly Griffiths, Tabitha Orlando, Kendall Irvine 

Overall best players: Lilly Griffiths, Yasmin Wright, Harani Schauble, Tiahn Eade, Josie Harvey, Amalia Ong. 

Year 7B AFL SSV District 

On Tuesday, 24th May 18 enthusiastic Year 7 boys took the field in the SSV District AFL Championship. Blackburn was the only school to enter an A and a B team which was a testament of the interest in the national code. Consequently, BHS B had to play against 3 other A teams including BHS A team. The end results went as expected with BHS B suffering comprehensive defeats against BHS A and Koonung. The final game against Box Hill HS was a fitting finale pitting the two winless teams against each other in a more evenly matched contest. BHS B controlled the play early and kicked the first goal. Unfortunately, Box Hill HS kicked the next 4 goals to register the win. BHS B tried their absolute best against all opponents who were more experienced, stronger, quicker, and more skilful.  

Jayden Robinson, Jorge Zervos, Zac Mason and Felix Wellman were outstanding covering kilometres and accumulating possession after possession. Special mention to Alyssa Lindsey and Lacey Etheridge who competed hard against the boys. Thanks to Year 10 Sport Coaching student Ryan O’Sullivan for assisting on the day.  

Round 1: BHS A defeated BHS B 

Round 2: Koonung 11 goals defeated BHS B 0 goals 

Round 3: Box Hill HS 4 goals defeated BHS B 1 goal 

Goal kickers: Harley Wilkins 1, Jayden Robinson 1.   

Best players: Jayden Robinson, Jorge Zervos, Zac Mason, Felix Wellman.  

Year 8 Boys AFL SSV District 

On Wednesday, 1st June 22 very enthusiastic Year 8 boys took the field at Koonung Reserve in the SSV District AFL round robin. Expectations were low given in the corresponding fixture last year BHS were comprehensively defeated in all games and were left battered and bruised with a long injury list. On this day, we were also confronted by wintry conditions reminiscent of a polar blast at the old Waverley Park aka Arctic Park circa 1990. The coach’s pre-match address preached “embrace the conditions and sport builds character”. This was easy for the coach to say dressed like he was going on an expedition to Antarctica. 

 In round #1 BHS had a confidence building 

60-point victory against EDSC. Koonung provided a stronger challenge in the next round, but a 3-goal BHS victory was a fitting result. The final game was a grand final like showdown against local rival BHHS. Stakes were high. A BHS victory would mean automatic qualification into the EMR, while defeat would leave the team's destiny out of our control and in the hands of the powerbrokers at School Sport Victoria (SSV).  

The first half contested in pouring rain was an arm wrestle between two very evenly matched teams. The scores were tied at half time. BHHS came out hard after the break and kicked 3 goals to 1 to be worthy victors. This result meant that BHS, BHHS and Koonung all had 2 wins and 1 loss meaning a 3-way tie. Results were then sent to high-ranking officials at SSV for them to analyse all data with the help of their supercomputer. A nervous wait for correspondence from the decision makers at SSV ended at close of business that afternoon. The email received stated: “SSV have proclaimed that BHS, due to a superior percentage (goals for/against), are declared winners of the SSV District round-robin. Congratulations and good luck in the EMR.”  

News of the historic announcement spread through the local community like wildfire, thanks to the wonders of modern-day technology aka the internet. Fireworks then lit up the icy night sky in Blackburn and surrounding suburbs as BHS players celebrated and rested their aching bodies in ice baths while reliving the day’s heroic events and dreaming of getting their hands on the Holy Grail.  

All 22 players made valuable contributions throughout the day with all players experiencing a range of positions and playing from 100-120 minutes of game time. James Lahom, Ryder Brown, Zac Robinson-Riding, Ashton Browning and Fynn Waring-Jones were outstanding in the midfield engine room covering kilometres and accumulating possession after possession. Joel Beswick provided a dangerous marking target up forward and Hayden Fraser and Rishi Indugula were fast and dangerous small forwards. Nadav Ryan, Lorenz Klinger-Horsburgh, Luca Vicente, Dylan Hanrahan and Hugo Dykes were tireless with their defensive pressure and tackling in the back half.  

There is no doubt a triumphant day such as this one does so much for school spirit, connection, and pride. I was so proud of the boys’ effort, commitment, and determination in very challenging conditions. Bring on the EMR round on June 16. 

Round 1: BHS 10 goals, 4 behinds, 64 points defeated EDSC 0 goals, 3 behinds, 3 points 

Goal kickers: Ashton Browning 3, Hayden Fraser 2, Rishi Indugula 2, Joel Beswick 1, Sam Cole 1, Ryder Brown 1 

Round 2: BHS 7 goals, 9 behinds, 51 points defeated Koonung 5 goals, 2 behinds, 32 points 

Goal kickers: Joel Beswick 3, Ryder Brown 1, Taylan Crothers 1, Hayden Fraser 1, Dylan Hanrahan 1 

Round 3: BHS 3 goals, 3 behinds, 21 points were defeated by BHHS 4 goals, 7 behinds, 31 points 

Goal kickers: Hayden Fraser 1, Zac Robinson-Riding 1 

Overall best players: James Lahom, Ryder Brown, Zac Robinson-Riding, Nadav Ryan, Lorenz Klinger-Horsburgh, Ashton Browning, Hugo Dykes, Dylan Hanrahan, Joel Beswick, Hayden Fraser, Fynn Waring-Jones. 

Junior Girls AFL SSV District 

On Thursday, 9th June 18 very excited Year 8 girls took the field at Koonung Reserve in the SSV District AFL round robin. All 18 players made valuable contributions throughout the day with all players experiencing a range of positions and playing 100% game time. The work rate, effort, and competitive spirit was displayed in abundance. Lilly Griffiths, Harani Schauble and Yasmin Wright Jones were outstanding in the midfield engine room covering kilometres, accumulating possession after possession and steam rolling through the opposition. The physicality and tackling was ferocious with many girls rewarded with a holding the ball decision. Tiahn Eade, Josie Harvey and Amalia Ong were other key players around the ground. The 2-point loss to Koonung ultimately meant BHS will not be progressing to the EMR. Despite this outcome, all girls had a great time with many playing their first ever official game of AFL. All girls were fantastic ambassadors for BHS and I look forward to seeing them representing the school in future sporting fixtures.     

Round 1: BHS 2 goals, 1 behind, and 13 points were defeated by Koonung with 2 goals, 3 behinds, 15 points 

Goalkicker: Lilly Griffiths 2 

Round 2: BHS 6 goals, 15 behinds, 51 points defeated EDCS with 0 goals, 0 behinds, 0 points 

Goalkickers: Harani Schauble 2, Cassie Rowell, Lilly Griffiths, Tabitha Orlando, Kendall Irvine 

Overall best players: Lilly Griffiths, Yasmin Wright, Harani Schauble, Tiahn Eade, Josie Harvey, Amalia Ong. 

Year 9 Leisure and recreation  Nunawading Rock Climbing

Here are some photos from the year 9 Leisure and recreation excursion to Nunawading Rock Climbing! 

Students had a great time climbing the walls and learning the skills of belaying! A great way to end off the term!

16 State Finalists for 

Cross Country

This term, 40 of our students headed out to the Yarra Glen Racecourse for the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Cross Country Finals. Although it was a little on the chilly side and the track was very muddy, the sun was shining and we had some fabulous results. The day began with our 17-19 years boys. I might add here that there were in excess of 100 runners in each and every race and to qualify for the State final, runners needed to finish in the top 12. 

Our results for this race were; Lee Martin 7th, Liam McLennan 8th, Joel Carter 11th and Cody Tuder 17th. These fabulous placings gave them 1st place in the team event and all 4 runners have qualified for the State Final. In the 2nd race of the day, Sebastian Poynter finished the 16 Yrs boys race in 8th place to also qualify for the State Final. 

Then came the 17-20yrs Girls, with Georgina Shand finishing 5th and qualifying for the State Final . Our 16yrs girls did us proud with Lucy Freeman finishing in 13th place (1 place out of the State Final) and Abigael Procter in 16th place. In our 15 boys we had Mason Porter 2nd, Angus Butler 5th, James Wilson 12th and Harvey Irvine 62nd. 

This qualified the boys in 1st place as a team and all 4 have gone through to the State Final. 

Our next State Final qualifier was Charity Onley who finished 6th in the 15Yrs girls. Emily McCrohan finished 15th in this race, Sasha Davey 59th and Holly Trainor 82nd. Our 14Yrs boys and girls gave it their absolute best with Agustin Pelliccia 17th, Cameron Goddard 56th, Charlie Duane 59th, Sienna Casey 24th, Yasmin Wright 26th, Tanya Pazokian 43rd, Lilly Griffiths and Emily Bishop 65th. The last races of the day were our 13Yrs runners and they were all brilliant. 

Amaya Thalakada finished 3rd in the girls event earning her a place in the State Final. Chelsea Daniels finished 25th and Penny Sciacca 76th.  In the boys event we had an EMR Champion – Thomas Linnett, Charlie Wilson finished close behind in 2nd place and Luke Sciacca in 4th place, followed by Max Miller in 21st, Charlie Orpwood in 25th and Kai Jones in 44th. Thomas, Charlie, Luke and Max took out the team event as well and will all go through to the State Final.

I would like to congratulate and am so proud of each and every one of these students, who came out in less than desirable conditions on their student free day and all gave their absolute best. In the 24 years that I have been teaching at Blackburn High School we have never had such amazing results and having 16 students make it to the State Final puts us up there with the best government schools in the State.

Best of luck to all of those who will travel out to the Yarra Glen Racecourse on Thursday 14th July for the State Final.

Nadine Roche – Carnivals Coordinator