Sport News

I received quite a bit of feedback from my article in last week’s newsletter. All of which was positive and supportive of the message I was trying to present. The key takeaway was that all of us, from myself and the sports department, through co-ordinators and coaches to the players can improve our performance levels as individuals and as teams, therefore improving our results and improving who we are as people. As I said last week, it is challenging to focus on improving when the competition does not challenge us at times. For this we need to set our own goals, separate to outcome goals like results on a Saturday. These goals can include focusing on technical or physical aspects of our training, our preparation, our focus and concentration, our discipline or our respect for the game, our opponent and the officials. There are many challenges we can set ourselves to ensure we reach optimal performance levels regardless of anything external to us. 

The first area boys and staff can focus on is in being intentional with our training and games. What does this mean? It is about having a focus on improving every session, not going through the motions in the gym or the court or field or team meeting, but seeing that session as another opportunity to improve. I have included below a more articulate paragraph from a British Sport Psychologist, Dan Abrahams danabrahams.com who explains it very clearly.

A boxer walks into the gym at 6am and is either intentional or not...he is intentional with his training or he isn't...

A golfer walks onto the range and is either intentional or not...he is intentional with his practice or he isn't...

A footballer walks onto the pitch...

A tennis player walks onto the court...

A weightlifter walks into the gym...

An athlete walks onto the track...

A swimmer jumps into the pool...

They are either intentional or they're not....they're intentional with their practice and training or they aren't...

...and this is a hard, hard choice to make. It requires incredible mental skill. It's mediated by both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. It's influenced by environment.

To be intentional at all times...that's tough. To be intentional is to be intense...intense about improvement. To be intentional is to be interested...to be engaged! To be intentional is to internalise...to reflect on what you're doing, on how it's going, on what needs to go better. To be intentional is to train with integration...integration with coach feedback.

And the champions...the ones that 'make it.' They know that intentional practice isn't enough. They know they need to be intentionally playful too…

Along a similar theme is our attitude to strength and conditioning. Something we can be better at as a College across our sports. The gym numbers have improved in the last two years but I would like to see much more of a team emphasis in using the gym. Here is an article written by our Head of Strength & Conditioning, Mr Simon Price, which I shared in Term 1 but is worth sharing again now.

The Benefits of Strength Training for Adolescents 

There is still a misconception around adolescents participating in strength training activities because of the fear of injury and affecting growth, yet research published in 2020 by Flinders University on the 2016-17 sports injury hospitalization rate paints a vastly different picture. Strength training reported only 10 injuries for every 100,000 participants aged 15 years and above, which in comparison to other sports completed in the AIC competition (Rugby 1181, AFL 777, Soccer 323, Basketball 243, Cricket 192, Racquet Sports 50, Track and Field 23, Swimming 21) is extremely low. When a cricketer bowls a ball, there can be 6-7 times body weight of force generated through the stance leg and when a soccer player heads the ball that is traveling up to 130km/hr, it creates a force of 100 to 150 times gravity. From that point of view, it makes sense to have stronger muscles that have the ability to support joint structures and withstand external forces that have the potential to cause injury. 

From a Health and Wellness perspective, the Queensland Government recommends children and young people do at least 60 minutes each day of moderate to vigorous physical activity that makes the heartbeat faster. Strength training is a fitting example of vigorous activity that also has positive psychological benefits for young men around body image and self-esteem issues. Research completed by Faigenbaum et al (2000) reported that some parents observed positive personality effects in their children, including increased readiness to perform household chores and homework. That research also suggests that strength training prepares children for participation in organised sport and recreational activities and improves their sense of character and overall psychosocial functioning.

It has been well documented the performance benefits of strength training. Athletes who participate in regular strength training have a positive influence on rate of force development and power, jumping, sprinting, change of direction, throwing ability, enhanced running economy and greater flexibility. All key components of performing well in any field-based sport.

In conclusion, Strength training in Adolescents can be a safe and effective way to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility while potentially decreasing the rate of sports-related injury. A suitably designed and supervised program can help improve children's overall health and sense of psychosocial well-being. Hopefully, the information here demonstrates that the benefits of strength training far outweigh the potential risks.

Look forward to seeing your son in the gym soon. 

Weekly Sports Draws

Rugby Union - Round 4 v Padua

Football - Round 4 v Padua

Term 3 and 4 Sport Sign-up

The sign-up for our Term 3 and 4 sports is open from today. All players must be signed up through the registration process. Part of the issues we have been experiencing with team numbers, along with COVID-19 and wet weather at the end of last term, is boys wanting to play sports but not signing up in advance. We need this information in advance so we can cater for the number of teams in the AIC competition, source enough coaches and have enough equipment for these teams. All boys who want to play rugby league, basketball, tennis and track and field need to sign up.

Tennis

Mr Andrew Ward (Head Coach)

What is on at the Tennis Courts

MCA Tennis invites players to start trials for this year's AIC season. Any player wishing to represent the College in this year's AIC competition should look for their associated year levels training and times and please register by attending these sessions.

Year and times are as follows 

Monday 23 May, 30 May, 6 June

Year 9    6:45am-8:15am

Tuesday  24 May, 31 May, 7 June

Year 5    6:45am-8:15am

Year 7    3:30pm-5:00pm

Wednesday 25 May, 1 June, 8 June

Year 10  6:45pm-8:15am

Thursday 26 May, 2 June, 9 June

Year 6    6:45pm-8:15am

Year 8    5:00pm-6:30pm

** Schedule for Weeks 9-10 will follow with trials twice a week and once teams are picked training will run twice a week for all year levels. A reminder that stage 2 of open trials will commence in Week 9 of Term 2.

Marist Open Singles Championship is fast approaching and will be held this year on Friday, June 10 and 17 from 3:30pm-7:30pm. Open Semi-Finals and Finals will be held on Saturday 18 June starting 8:00am until end of finals. Any students interested please email - MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au 

A quick mention to our reigning Champion, Lachlan Braithwaite who will be keen to defend his title against some determined players who will want to win this tournament.

All winners will receive prizes and trophies.

Holiday Clinic

Marist Tennis will be holding a Holiday Clinic on 27-29 June 8:00am-11:00am. Cost $100.00 for all 3 days or $40.00 per day. This will be a great way to fine-tune for the start of AIC season to prepare for the season ahead. For all bookings please email - MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au. Good luck to all and let's see some great matches in true Marist spirit. 

Football and Rugby

This Saturday is Super Saturday at Marist with us hosting the whole round against Padua College to celebrate Old Boys Reunion Day, boarding family day and Marist Indigenous Round to the College. It is sure to be a big day so make sure you get down and support the 1st XI at 1:00pm on Cameron and the 1st XV at 3:15pm on McMahon.

There will be no parking on-site on Saturday so parents are advised to allow extra time to get to the field for the team’s match preparation.

Spectators - A reminder that all boys watching games are required to be in the correct College uniform. If you are playing earlier in the day you must change into your uniform, including shoes and hat to spectate.

Student Achievements

Sean Bright

In the world of water polo, Sean Bright continues to achieve. Sean will be attending the lead-up summer tournaments and Junior Olympics water polo tournament in the US. He is going to be playing for a San Diego club. This is a wonderful achievement and we wish Sean all the best at this prestigious tournament. Congratulations Sean.

Sport Canteens

Super Saturday is here. The College grounds will all be full. We need your help to feed the College community and visitors.

All year levels are asked to SignUp this week. Please put your name in the SignUp sheet by Friday so we can plan for Saturday, and limit time and energy looking for volunteers at the last minute.

Grandstand Main Canteen: https://signup.com/go/PzbXSyg

BBQ at the Grandstand: https://signup.com/go/VeoZFmY

Flats Canteen: https://signup.com/go/WfFXePA