Sports News

Polding Tennis Trials

On Friday 5th February, 2021 the following students from Armidale Diocese travelled to Newcastle to compete in the Polding Tennis trials, Mackenzi Naden (St Mary’s Armidale), Dana Campbell (St Xavier’s Gunnedah), Jazmyn Hobden (St Xavier’s Gunnedah), Max Judd (St Nicholas Tamworth), Archie McCormack (St Xavier’s Gunnedah) and Hugh Mitchell (St Nicholas Tamworth). Students played a round robin format against all players in their pool from all over the Polding region. The top three students from each pool progressed to the finals. Mackenzi, Jazmyn, Hugh, Arhcie and Max all got the opportunity to progress into the selection rounds. The top 5 players were selected to represent Polding at the NSWPSSA Championships held in Newcastle later in the year. A huge congratulations to Archie, Max and Mackenzi who were selected to represent Polding. All children played so well throughout the day. They displayed great initiative in following the draw and finding their opponent and court. They scored their own games effectively and fairly the entire day.

Congratulations Mackenzi and all the best for the NSWPSSA Championships in May, 2021.

Australian Rugby Sevens Visit

Last Friday we had a visit from NSW and Australian Rugby Sevens players who were in Armidale for the Australian selection trials. The trials were held to help choose the players that will head to the Tokyo Olympics later in the year. The players spoke about the pathway they have worked through to play sport at the elite level. Students were interested to hear that both players played a variety of sports while in primary school and high school and that this enabled them to develop a wide range of skills. We also heard one of the players talk about his small country primary school which had less than 50 students. It just goes to show that you don't have to be from the city to become an elite sportsperson.

Diocesan Swimming

Due to the quick turn around between our carnival and the diocesan carnival please make yourself aware of the COVID changes listed below.

We are required to provide two parent timekeepers for the duration the day. These parents may rotate but they are the only parents that are allowed into the pool for the event. I will fill these spots on a first in first served basis.

Location:South & West Memorial Pool (Scully Park), Kent Street, Tamworth. 

Time: A warm-up is available from 8:00-8:15 am. The carnival will start at 8:30 am sharp. All school team managers must sign in by 8:00 am. A timekeepers meeting will be at 8:15 am.

Cost:The student levy for Diocesan Swimming Carnival is $5.00 per student and should be paid to your school. Pool entry is $3.50 for children and can be paid upon arrival at the carnival.

COVID Guidelines: Due to current guidelines spectators will not be allowed at this event. Drop off and collection details for parents are below. It is VITAL that Schools list their designated essential adults (teachers or parents) and timekeepers for the day. These essential adults listed on the nomination sheet will be the ONLY parents permitted inside the pool area.

It is recommended that each school bring a porta shade to cover the numbers that they are bringing, this is also to ensure COVID guidelines are adhered to when students are not competing.

Drop off and pick up: Parent pick up and drop off location is on Belmore Street. A COVID Safety Marshal will be monitoring the drop-off and pick up area for the entire day. The parents can drop the children off in the designated area and a staff member or COVID Safety Marshal will be waiting for students. The staff member will direct the child to walk to their school area. The parent/guardian will pick the students up from the same location. If required a teacher from your child’s school will contact you if the student is required to be collected early. If possible, we would like parents/guardians to remain in the car during the drop off process. For Pick up parents please notify the COVID Safety Marshal your child’s name and school. Kent St entrance will be closed to the public at 9:00am.

Supervision: Ideally we would like two teachers/teachers aide in attendance at the carnival to assist with the drop-off and pick up procedure. We would like one school representative at the gate located on Belmore St for drop off and pick up times and one school representative to remain with students in portashade area. Please ensure that all schools have completed the Parent Drop Off/Pick Up Contacts prior to the carnival. The COVID Safety Marshal will call the Supervisor listed on the document above when a parent arrives to collect their child. 

Canteen: There will be a canteen operating on the day. 

Results: As there will be no spectators we have registered the ADPSC Swimming Carnival as a Meet Manager LIVE event. This will allow parents to see LIVE results of the events run on the day. If interested, parents can download the Meet Mobile App (a subscription is required $3.49/month or $10.49/year) to view these results.  

Results will be displayed onSwimCentral a week after the event for those parents who do not wish to subscribe to the Meet Manager LIVE app. 

Spectators: As you are aware spectators are not permitted to attend the swimming carnival to comply with the South & West Memorial Pool’s COVID-19 Safety Plan and in accordance with the venue’s capacity. If you require further clarification around these guidelines please visit NSW Public Health Orders. There is a COVID-19 Safety Plan and Risk Assessment for this event to ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines are met and maintained throughout the day. All schools have been provided with a copy of both documents. 

Health: A representative from each school has completed COVID-19 Safety for Sport Coaches and Conveners training prior to attending the Swimming Carnival.

Participants must not attend if in the past 14 days if they have:

• been unwell or had any flu-like symptoms, or
• been in contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19, or
• any sudden loss of smell or loss of taste, or
• are at high risk from a health perspective, including the elderly and those with pre-existing medical health conditions.

The marshalling area will be provided with hand sanitisers and wipes for students use. Students can bring their own hand sanitiser if this is preferred. 

First Aid: A First Aid Officer employed from Beneficial Safety will be present on the day. 

Weather:A hat is compulsory to wear whenever students are not swimming, regular application of sunscreen is advised and it is the school’s responsibility to ensure students are reminded to do so. Schools have been instructed to bring portashades. In the event of rain please do not hesitate to contact me on 0427 958 331 if you are unsure of the certainty of the carnival.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me on 0427 958 331 or alternatively email hlebrocq@arm.catholic.edu.au

Looking forward to a great day of swimming…. finally!

Kind Regards, 

Heidi Hardaker

CSO Armidale Sports Coordinator K-6

Term 1 Dates to Remember

• 19th Feb - School Swimming Carnival (50m swimmers only)
• 26th Feb - Diocesan Swimming Carnival (Tamworth)
• 12th Mar - Diocesan Winter Trials  Soccer, Netball & Rugby League (Inverell)
• 19th Mar - School Cross Country
• 26th Mar - Diocesan Touch Trials (Tamworth)