Sport News

Mr Luke Caplick

It was great to see the College come to life again last Saturday with our final rugby and football trial fixtures being played. Special thanks to our primary parents who travelled to Ambrose Tracey College for their games. By all reports, it was a great day out. 

 

We are all learning to live with the implications of a global pandemic, but it seemed a world away last Saturday when the John Eales Grandstand filled with spectators to watch the 1st XV play against Sunshine Coast Grammar. Our annual Marist College Rosalie tribute match proved to be a tightly fought affair but ultimately Marist proved too strong in the end. The highlight of the day was witnessing our 1st XV move together as a team to the end of McMahon Oval where the Rosalie Old Boys stood on the balcony of the Cyprian Pavilion. The team sang the ‘Sub Tuum’ arm in arm as the Rosa Old Boys delighted in our 1st XV wearing their former colours and singing our Marist ancient prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary in victory. Special thanks to Brendan Kiernan, 1st XV Head Coach, who organised the jersey presentation with the Rosalie Old Boys earlier in the day and also initiated the 1st XV in moving towards the Cyprian Pavilion to acknowledge their valued presence on the day. 

 

Last Saturday’s rugby and football trials coupled with our first Sport Presentation Dinner last Thursday evening reminded me why sport is such a special part for our MCA community. We celebrated the achievements of our Term 1: AFL, Cricket, Swimming and Volleyball 1st Teams. We reflected on the season and some select individuals within these teams were acknowledged for their contributions to their respective team success. This was the first time we have come together with all sports from a season and it appeared to work well, once everyone battled the traffic to arrive at the Qld Cricketers Club overlooking the Gabba. Brendan Furdek was the driving force behind this initiative and I thank him for all the hard work that went on behind the scenes to make it a rousing success. 

 

Onward and upward, our coaches have been sorting through all players and were able to trial different combinations to get the teams ready for our AIC Round 1 clashes. As teams are announced this week the reality is that some boys will be disappointed with their grading. The best way to deal with this matter is to show resilience and to work even harder at training and during the games each week to prove to your coach that you are capable to move up in the gradings. The coaches have been asked to monitor all players and change teams if necessary based on player performance, attendance and attitude. A player’s position in a team is not guaranteed.     

 

We remind all families that we do have another long weekend approaching when we play St Laurence’s College in Round 1 this weekend. In your family planning, we ask that all players make themselves available to play before they depart on any family trips away. Understandably, if we have many players absent, our teams will be under strengthened and the full complement of teams will be compromised. We are hoping that all players will stay and play before enjoying a well-earned break with family and friends.   

Uniform Expectations – Players & Spectators

All players are to wear the complete rugby and football playing uniform. There were a number of boys without the correct shorts and socks last Saturday. Your coach has been instructed to not let you take the field unless you have full correct playing attire on. 

All hats worn must be MCA hats; no slides or sandals or Birkenstocks – only lace-up sports shoes to be worn with sports uniforms, travelling to and from games and before and after games.

 

Please note that all boys who attend rugby and football fixtures on the weekend as a spectator must wear the College academic uniform. If students intend to stay and support other teams after their game at the venue the 1st XI and XV are playing then they must get changed into their academic uniform after their game, this includes ties and blazers for senior school students.

 

Students who are playing at the Year 5-8 venue may be permitted to wear their playing uniform before and after their games. However, if the younger boys (Year 5-8) wish to travel and support the Year 9-12 matches, particularly the first games, they must change into the academic uniform. 

 

It is paramount that the parent body supports the College to ensure that these expectations are met. Wearing the correct uniform appropriately is the standard that is expected.

Individual Achievements – Met North Representatives

TEAMNAMEState Champs DatesState Champs Venue
Volleyball 12-15Jonah TitifanuaJune 2021Gold Coast Sport & Leisure Centre 
Volleyball 12-15 Declan TunnyJune 2021Gold Coast Sport & Leisure Centre 
Volleyball 16-19Toby BerghJune 2021Gold Coast Sport & Leisure Centre 
Australian Football 13-15 Jack UrquhartMay 2021Harrup Park, Mackay 
Australian Football 13-15 Jackson WilliamsMay 2021Harrup Park, Mackay 
Australian Football 13-15 Thomas WilliamsMay 2021Harrup Park, Mackay 
Australian Football 13-15 Jack ThompsonMay 2021Harrup Park, Mackay 
Basketball 10-12 Tyson BakerMay 2021Coomera Indoor Sports Centre 
Basketball 10-12 Leo MorrisMay 2021Coomera Indoor Sports Centre 
Hockey 13-19 Jacob AndersonMay 2021Cairns Hockey 
Hockey 13-19 Samuel KeirMay 2021Cairns Hockey 
Hockey 13-19Nicholas KeirMay 2021Cairns Hockey 

Rugby Union

Well done to all staff and students on getting through the rugby preseason in preparation for our AIC competition that begins this Saturday. The majority of our teams will be playing traditional rivals St Laurence’s College in what has become a fantastic round of sport as each College takes a turn in hosting all fixtures.

 

SLC will have their turn to host this year and the trip out to Runcorn on “Old Boys” day is always a challenging one. All teams will need to compete to their very best if we are to have a successful day so best of luck to everyone. Please make sure you stay around to enjoy the day and especially to support our 1st XV team at 3:15pm.

 

Reminders

  • UNIFORM – needs to be perfect this weekend. Correct MCA jersey, BLUE shorts and MCA College rugby socks. Please do NOT wear any form of clothing that does not represent Marist College Ashgrove including hats, jumpers or shirts. If not in your rugby boots then you will have on shoes!
  • Water bottle – you need your OWN water bottle. Coaches all have water carriers but you need to supply your own bottle, please.

Final Trials

While we have only just begun our preparation after the holidays, there were some signs of improvement from our Padua trials before Easter. We will undoubtedly improve again this weekend but all players will need to lift significantly in their efforts as all points now count towards your premierships.

 

We had a range of games against SLC, Sunshine Coast Grammar and ATC and coaches have provided some match reports here in this newsletter.

 

Good luck to everyone and I look forward to seeing many of you out at Runcorn.

 

Rugby Union - Around the Grounds

Football

Football - Around the Grounds