Welcome back to the 2021 sporting season. Despite the school year just beginning, much work has been done during the back end of last year and over the Christmas holiday period to ensure the 2021 sporting seasons start smoothly. Thanks to David Miles, Brendan Furdek, John Lambourne and Corey Lucas in the Sports Department who have assisted our Sports Coordinators in getting their respective sports up and running in readiness for their AIC Round 1 fixtures this weekend.

After 6 years as Head of Sport, David Miles has stood down from the role. We thank David for his dedication and service to the Marist College Sports Program over this time. David’s leadership oversaw continued accomplishment of the sport program in terms of participation rates and our consistent level of success across all sports. David’s proven ability to maintain our College’s rich history of success in a competitive environment will continue as coordinator of our Rugby and Athletics programs in 2021. He has developed both programs into AIC powerhouses during his time as Head of Sport and we are grateful he will continue his legacy of achievement in these sports.

Our swimming program continues to go from strength to strength under the tutelage of Head Coach James Boyce and Coordinator Cath Geraghty. It has been great to see the level of participation from our students as they prepare for the AIC Swimming Championships on Friday, February 26.

Brendan Furdek, Adam Knight and Brett Gillett have done amazing work getting Cricket, Volleyball and AFL respectively up and running. In previous years we have had an extra week of preparation with AIC Round 1 normally commencing at the completion of week 2. This meant coaches and coordinators of these sports were back overseeing trials and camps last year, over the holidays and last weekend before boys arrived back at school. With a sport program as large as Marist College Ashgrove we are constantly seeking assistance from staff and appreciate their contribution to the cocurricular aspect of the College.

As a whole staff, we continue to seek development across all our sport programs in order to offer the highest level of coaching for our students. Thankfully we have staff at the College who appreciate that contributing to the sport program will ultimately assist them and their students with their core business of teaching and learning.

It is important we recognise that our behaviour and dress are extremely important for all sport training and games. When you are representing the College, you must adhere to all College expectations. Any boys not meeting these expectations will be dealt with by the Head of Sport and were necessary, Head of College.

Unfortunately, we continue to be restricted by a number of COVID safe protocols at our sporting events. Below is a brief summary of the AIC COVID plan:

Volleyball – Sign in using QR code at the venue. Only one parent per player allowed for all games. The 1st team may have 2 parents per player and only members of the 10A and 2nd team may stay and spectate the 1st game.
Cricket – Sign in using QR code at the venue. Unlimited spectators but must socially distance.
AFL – Sign in using QR code at the venue. Unlimited spectators but must socially distance.
Swimming - Colleges hosting meets will inform of COVID safe plan and this will be communicated in the week leading up to the meet. All meets will implement an attendance register and adhere to site plans.

We look forward to working in partnership this year to ensure our students continue to grow

Other sport information:

UNIFORMS

A very important part of representing Ashgrove in any sporting competition is our presentation. With Ashgrove leading into Round 1of AIC Cricket, Volleyball and AFL, all students should be aware of the correct uniform for their particular sport. It is the position of our College and most AIC Colleges that no student should be on the court or field if they are not dressed in the correct uniform. Coaches will not put a player on the field until they have the correct uniform so please organise this ASAP.

All Term 1 sport uniforms can be purchased at the uniform shop. A friendly reminder to all families competing in winter sports (Term 2 and 3) to hold off purchasing a training tee prior to their season. We have been assured that plenty of new stock will arrive prior to Term 2.

COLLEGE APP

The College APP is a vital tool and is a MUST for all families to gain quick access to sporting information. The weekend draws, any last-minute changes that may occur, training information, wet weather cancellations, transport updates or any late bus returns will all be information that is uploaded to the College APP. Please make sure you have this valuable tool downloaded to your phone.

IMPORTANT AIC SPORT INFORMATION

Team sports are contested in Year levels as per below:

AFL (Year 5, 6, 7, 8/9, Opens)
Cricket (Years 5-10, Opens)
Volleyball (Years 5-11, Opens)
Chess (Years 5-10, Opens)
Football (Soccer) (Years 5-10, Opens)
Rugby (Years 5-11, Opens)
Basketball (Years 5-11, Opens)
Rugby League (Years 5-10, Opens – one team per Age Group in 2019)
Tennis (Years 5-11, Opens)

Individual Sports:

Swimming, Cross Country and Track & Field will remain the same as in 2020 with all of these sports continuing to be contested in age groups (i.e. based on a student’s year of birth).

Students are asked to be wary of these guidelines when trialling for teams at MCA to ensure they are adhering to the AIC competition rules. Please see a coach or teacher at school if you are unsure where you need to be.

Kind regards,

Luke Caplick

Acting Head of Sport

AIC Volleyball