Sport News

Overall, we had some very pleasing results in our Round 3 AIC fixtures against Villanova. Our chess boys have continued their dominance in AIC competition with another win in the aggregate. Our 1st IV chess team played well in a solid draw against the highly fancied Villanova team.

Most of our rugby and football teams across the College performed extremely well against Villanova. The 1st XI Football game v Iona was a typical hard-fought school game. It was filled with passion and determination. Unfortunately, we conceded 2 early goals in the first half; however, the second half proved a very different story with MCA clawing back to a 4-3 loss. We host Pacific Lutheran College from the Sunshine Coast in the UHL Sport Cup competition on Thursday afternoon with a 4:00pm start on Cameron Oval. Good luck to our 1st XI footballers involved in this competition.

The 1st XV Rugby game on the weekend was particularly pleasing to watch. From the kick-off, our boys showed great determination and composure to overcome the opposition. It was back to the running rugby that Ashgrove has built a reputation on for so many years. A clinical performance. The set-piece, defensive structures, intensity at the break down and the variety shown in attack was brilliant. A pleasure to watch.

Again, I thank all involved over the weekend at the various sports grounds. The College is supportive of those who are prepared to assist our students by taking on various coaching, managerial and official roles within the sports program. Due care and concern for our students is shown in all areas to ensure we do our best to produce good Marist men with integrity and values in all that we do including our efforts on the sports field.

I must commend all coaches (and parents) who have insisted that their team chants the school war-cry and ensures that their team is able to stay around after the game to form a run on tunnel for the next Marist team to take the field. School spirit and pride is so important for a variety of different reasons. Please support and encourage your son to be involved in activities such as these.

The number of boys who were able to stay behind on the weekend v Villanova to watch the 1st teams dressed in academic uniform was good to see. This could not have happened without the parental support of the College’s expectations. Thank you, parents!

This weekend marks Round 4 of the AIC competition where we play Padua College in Chess, Rugby and Football. Padua will host all rugby matches and Year 8 – Open football in a big day of matches out at Banyo. We are pleased to be supporting Padua on this big day of sport that will be promoting “Blue Health” which aims to enhance the mental health of current and former police officers and their families. With a big crowd expected throughout the day, Padua College will be focused on giving their best in all matches. This is a situation that we face most weeks as opposition schools use Marist College Ashgrove as the standard for high performance. It is important that we are well prepared for the intensity that Padua will bring to these fixtures.

Please remember to register to check-in using the QR code via the Queensland check-in app at all AIC venues.

Last Monday we had five students represent the College in this year’s AIC golf competition being held at Indooroopilly Golf Club. The team consisted of Jack Christensen, Robbie Power, Joey Ikin, Will Nickelson and Jackson Williams. There was some great golf played by all schools on the day, with a number of golfers beating their handicap. The Marist College Ashgrove Team placed third in both the best net competition, 6 shots behind the winners Iona. A special mention must go to Will Nickelson who finished 3rd in the individual competition with a net 68. The team also had the third-best gross aggregate with Robbie Power shooting the best gross score in the team (82). Thanks to Andrew Fogarty who accompanied the boys to this event. Mr Fogarty was the star of the day shooting a round of 73 to win the AIC teacher challenge. Well done Mr Fogarty – the boys are in great hands.

Term 3 Sign-on Instructions

Student sign-on process

Parent sign-on process

Basketball 

• Year 5 and 6 Basketball will be played on Friday afternoons
• Year 5 and 6 students can play basketball on Friday as well as either Tennis or Rugby League on Saturday
• Year 7-12 students will play basketball on Saturday and cannot play Tennis or Rugby League as they are played at the same time
• There will be approx. 4 teams per year level

Tennis

• Year 5-12 students will play tennis Saturday mornings. These students cannot play Rugby League or Year 7-12 Basketball as they are played at the same time
• There will be 2 teams per year level plus a reserves squad

Rugby League

• Students can only play AIC Rugby League if they have played AIC Rugby Union or AIC Football. Rugby League coaches will be asked to view the last 3 rounds of Rugby Union to commence the trial process. This will not determine the teams as some may be playing AIC Football but will give the coaches a guide as to the quality of players we have as the majority will be playing rugby
• There will only be one team per year level in Rugby League. The teams will be – Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, 1st Rugby League (combined Year 11 and 12 team), probably around 20 players per age group
• Rugby League Players cannot play Year 7-12 Basketball or Tennis

Track and Field

• Students can participate in any other sport as well as Track and Field. Track and Field training will commence at the start of term 3 for the main squad and continue through the September holidays and Week 1 of Term 4 leading into the AIC Championships
• Compulsory training is held for all athletes on Monday each week with other sports being organised to accommodate this. Training is also held on Wednesday afternoons, Sunday afternoons and various mornings throughout the week
• AIC Competition meets are held on Thursday OR Friday afternoon/evenings beginning in the middle of Term 3
• The College Age Championship Carnival is held during Week 2 of Term 3 with the main carnival on Friday 23 July
• The Met North Regional Championships are held on August 25-27

If you have any questions about these sports please contact the staff listed below:

• Track and Field – Mr David Miles - milesda@marash.qld.edu.au
• Basketball – Mr Michael Connolly - connollym@marash.qld.edu.au
• Tennis – Mr Andrew Ward - MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au
• Rugby League – Mrs Kim Horwood - horwoodk@marash.qld.edu.au

Individual Achievements

Congratulations to the following students: 

• After the recent Queensland School Sport State Championships, James Leigh has been selected to be a member of the Queensland School Sport 13-19 Years Swimming Merit Team 2021.
• After the recent Queensland School Sport State Championships, Nicholas Osborn has been selected to be a member of the Queensland School Sport 10-12 Years Swimming Merit Team 2021.
• After the recent Queensland School Sport State Championships, William Valentine has been selected to be a member of the Queensland School Sport Boys’ Water Polo Merit Team 2021.
• Last month Toby Bergh won silver at the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships at Coolangatta. He and his partner Jeremy were undefeated the whole 4-day tournament but very narrowly beaten in the gold medal match.
• Zack Newsham competed in Ultra-Trail Australia over the weekend. The course was at the Blue Mountains national park and consisted of 951 steps, 700m elevation and was 11km long. Zack finished with an incredible time of 58min 32sec, finishing 8th overall and 4th in his age group.

Rugby Union Update

This Saturday will see the majority of teams travel to Banyo for a full day of rugby matches against Padua College. This means that from Saturday there will be only three weeks and four games to go – it is hard to believe it has gone so fast!

As we reach this “mid-point” of the season it is really time to step up another level as we face Padua College and Iona College in what are very big rounds for our rugby program and for all premiership battles across the College.

Players are reminded to seek feedback from coaches on what they can do to improve – individually and for their role within the team. This is important as every slight improvement will make a big difference to the success of the team.

Training commitment

It is disappointing to hear that players are missing training due to laziness or that they are prioritising other commitments over the school training. We have made it very clear that if you have to miss training due to medical reasons – which should be the only reason (if any) – then it is your responsibility to contact your coach before training.

DO NOT turn up on the weekend expecting to play if you have not committed to training for your team. 

Play where you are selected to play!

Round 3

With the majority of games against Villanova College we had a very successful day and the signs of improvement in most teams was very evident. Well done to coaches and players on working hard during the week to achieve these results.

Across the aggregate program we won 10 out of 12 matches with the Year 7’s facing some polished Villanova teams and learning a lot about the level they need to be at to be successful in their competition.

Round 4

The majority of matches will be played at Banyo this weekend against Padua College in what will be their annual “Old Boys day”. This is what we usually face at MCA when we travel away for a full day of matches and it makes for a great atmosphere across the day. Opposition teams always step up their intensity in what they see as their season grand final against us and it is a challenge we must embrace. Similar to Round 1 at Runcorn, I hope all families stay around and support the MCA teams in what will be a great day of rugby!

Uniform

As we are away and on display our uniform needs to be impeccable! Please make sure you have the correct jersey, shorts and socks for your game.

Football Update

AIC Round 3 proved to be a tough away trip to Villanova with the College registering mixed results against a football program on the up. Across the match day, Ashgrove were able to secure victories in 18 of the matches, meaning 15 losses or draws. Pleasing to see was the fighting spirit of Marist with each of those matches being highly competitive and well contested. This was highlighted in the 1st XI match which saw 9 goal thrillers. The 1st XI were down 3 nil and in true Marist spirit showed great determination to come within touching distance of securing a point. Even moments before the final whistle, the 1st XI were pushing hard to score to draw level. Other highlights from the day included a great win from the mighty 5A's, who beat an unbeaten opposition and the 7A and 9A's who were also able to secure vital aggregate points. 

Commitment to MCA Football

Following on from similar message from Rugby Coordinator David Miles, that when registering to play any sport at MCA, you are making a commitment to the team you are selected in, your College and also to the AIC sporting association who schedule numerous fixtures to support your participation. This is not a commitment that can be withdrawn or adjusted to suit club matches and with only five matches remaining, it is an expectation that students must respect. This not only applies to matches but also to training where preparations for the weekend's matches are completed. If you have any issues attending any scheduled training or matches, please make sure you email your coach and age coordinators - please see contact details below. 

Year 5 - Mr Matt Jones (or Mr John Lambourne - Head of Junior Sport)

Year 6 - Mr Zach Woodward (or Mr John Lambourne - Head of Junior Sport)

Year 7 - Terry Quain

Year 8 - Paul Knight

Year 9 - Marcus Schrader

Year 10 - Mr Michael McLaughlin

Opens - Mr Andrew King

Cross Country Update

We are now officially three weeks away from the big day, so training and upcoming AIC race meets are important selection trials for AIC Championships. 

MARIST XC | 2021 Captains

Congratulations to the following boys who have been appointed by the cross country staff.

• Captains: Baxter White and Fergal Apps
• Vice-Captain: Jack L’Enfant 

MARIST XC | AIC Cross Country Championships Selection

The upcoming AIC Meets are very important and valuable opportunity to press for selection for AIC Championships in three weeks. This year, only 12 runners can compete per age group (Year 5, 6, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, Opens). Selection is based on race times throughout the year and consistent training. Attendance at morning training, racing fast, and long Friday runs still need to be done by all.

MARIST XC | AIC Meet #1 at SLC 

Please find all details below for next week’s first AIC Meet to be held at Runcorn. All cross-country students who would like to be selected for the final AIC team MUST attend this meet. 

St Laurence’s College invites all Colleges within the AIC Community to attend an Invitational Cross-Country Meet on Wednesday 19 May. The program schedule can be found below: 

Buses will leave the College at 2:50pm from MCA bus stop and will return at 6:00pm. All boys attending need to indicate that either on the training roll next or contact Mr Furdek directly at furdekb@marash.qld.edu.au This will be an important selection trial for the upcoming AIC Championships and all runners should prioritise this meet.

MARIST XC | Training Schedule for Week 5, 6 and 7

Week 5

Monday: Training A Session 

Tuesday: Recovery run/rest

Wednesday: Compulsory AIC meet for everyone

Thursday: Recovery run

Friday: Training B session 

Week 6

Monday: Compulsory session for everyone not attending Met North 

Tuesday: Met North Cross-Country Trials 

Wednesday: AIC Meet at Curlew Park 

Thursday: Recovery run

Friday: Speed Session (compulsory session for everyone to attend)

Week 7

Monday: Compulsory session for everyone attending AIC Championships. 

Tuesday: Team Meeting 

Wednesday: AIC Championships @ SPC 

MARIST XC | Cross Country Presentation Afternoon

Our MCA Squad presentation will take place on Thursday 27 May at the Cyprian Pavilion. All cross-country students are invited to attend as we acknowledge the countless hours and work the students have put in throughout the season. We will officially announce our 2021 Cross Country Team for this year’s AIC Championships. This year we are excited to announce that special guest Benita Willis will be attending to give invaluable advice and share her stories with the students ahead of the big race. 

Results and Match Reports

Rugby Union

Football

Sports Canteen

There is no sports canteen for this weekend, Saturday 22 May. Instead this week we are wanting to get ahead on the SignUp for Saturday 5 June, and Saturday 12 June, where we will be asking for help from all year levels. Please have a look and put your name in the SignUp if you will be around on either of those two days and can get an hour done.