Sport News

Welcome to sport 2023 at Marist. If you are new to the College I extend a warm welcome to you and hope you find the opportunities at Marist give you a sense of satisfaction, development and growth as a person, as I wish for all boys at the College, new or returning.

Standards - Uniform

I am starting the new year by listing the expectations for the boys so we are clear and all on the same page. This message will also be relayed to all coaches and I will speak to this at the College assembly next week. This week’s focus is uniform. I have tried to explain the rationale behind the tightening of our expectations but if anyone would like further clarity please contact myself or your relevant sport coordinators.

All boys are to wear Marist gear to training

In 2023 all boys are required to wear Marist gear to training. It does not specify specific items but our preference is the MCA blue training shirt. In 2024 all boys will be required to wear the MCA training shirt for training sessions, but to bring this change in gradually I am expecting all boys to be in MCA gear for training sessions. There are a number of reasons for this:

1. Sub-consciously it builds a sense of belonging and identity or the boys to the college.
2. It builds team spirit and togetherness to the group.
3. It assists coaches with organizing opposed drills and training games.
4. It puts everyone on an equal footing, building confidence and trust in each other and within oneself (boys who make rep teams love to wear the gear to training, it is not deliberately designed for any purpose, but it does promote a status symbol that we want to avoid).
5. It looks professional, disciplined and committed, and if we look professional, disciplined and committed we are more likely to act professional, disciplined and committed.

We are working with Noone to develop the MCA training shirt range to include a long sleeve option and a more resilient jersey for contact sports. Again, in 2023 the MCA blue training shirt is preferred but any MCA apparel suitable for the activity is fine.

In the first instance where boys are in the wrong item coaches will remind the boy about this expectation. The second time it happens he will not be able to train with the team.

For matches, all boys are required to wear the correct playing uniform

All boys must be in the correct uniform to play. By and large we get this right but there is the odd slip-up. Our reputation and your image are on show on game day. The opposition, visitors and spectators are judging us all by our appearance.

This includes travelling to and from the venue. The new MCA tracksuit or hoodie jumper are able to be worn over the playing kit in colder or wet weather. No one should be seen in non-MCA gear on match days.

Boys must be in covered footwear at all times. We do not allow thongs, slides or Birkenstocks to be worn at any time. This is both a safety and appearance issue.

If you are staying to watch the firsts after your match you must bring your school uniform and change after your match. No one should be walking around the fields or courts in random gear.

First Teams - use of Marigold jersey and playing jersey

Being selected in a first team is very special. It is the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, skill, insight, passion and commitment. It rightly should be celebrated and appreciated. The wearing of a firsts jersey should be reserved for the premier competition that teams play in- in most cases the AIC. Therefore, we are working with Noone to have sets of trial jerseys for first squads to wear in pre-season and cup/non-AIC competitions that we can use. These will roll out throughout the year. The day a boy gets to pull on the marigold shirt, put on the baggy cap, et cetera, is special and it should be the first time he wears the item as a signifier that he has made it.

The marigold training singlet is unique to Marist Ashgrove and again has a significant position in our college culture. Similar to the jersey, it is easy to diminish its value.

Therefore, the following conditions apply to wearing it:

Extended first squads are to wear the blue MCA training shirt for the pre-season phase. Once the final first team squad has been chosen boys will be able to purchase and wear the marigold firsts training shirt to training as directed by the coaches.

If you made the first team the year before or in another sport and already have a marigold shirt you are not to wear it to training until the final squad has been chosen and all players wear the marigold.

If I was to sum this up- when you have earnt it you can wear it.

*As a parent myself I appreciate that there is some cost involved. That is why 2023 is a transition year for us. I hope boys and parents can appreciate the reasoning behind the changes and support us.

Next week: attitude, expectations and behaviour at training. 

Representative (District) Sport Trials- Round 1

The first round of representative sport trials is open now. To be considered boys need to be playing at A level for a College sport, or playing the sport competitively for non-MCA sports. To nominate email these details by the closing date to sports@marash.qld.edu.au 

*Met North has a strict policy of not accepting late nominations so make sure you have emailed by the closing date.

Once the nomination has been accepted by the district paperwork will be distributed.

• STUDENT NAME               
• SCHOOL               
• DOB       
• PLAYING POSITION/S     
• PLAYING HISTORY            
• PARENT NAME  
• PARENT EMAIL  
• PARENT PHONE

Due Tuesday 31 January

• Tennis 13-19 years boys
• Baseball 12-14 years boys
• Volleyball 16-19 years boys

Due Friday 3 February

• Volleyball 12-15 years boys

Due Friday 10 February

• Swimming 10-19 years boys- must go through MCA Swimming Head Coach Mr James Boyce
• Basketball 13-16 years boys

Allsports Red Hill- Physiotherapy Services

Marist has a longstanding relationship with Allsports Red Hill. They provide our boarding and sporting needs. If you see a trainer on the sideline at a home day its an Allsports trainer. There are many benefits to this relationship, both for the community and the College. Attached is a flyer promoting using their service for getting a screening done. It is a bit like getting your car serviced- see what’s working well, what needs a tune up and a course of action to remedy it. All physios (and coaches) prevention is the best medicine. Many injuries could have been avoided with screenings and prehab programs. Our S&C service at the College is able to work with Allsports to implement any programs they advise from a screening report and the lines of communication between sport and the physio is a significant benefit for the boys.

Prevent lower limb injury in the most common sporting codes

Strength and Conditioning

We welcome Mr Adam Earnshaw to the College as our new Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator. Adam comes to us from Camberwell Grammar School in Melbourne and is looking forward to working with the boys and staff for their S&C needs. 

The gym has been relocated in the holidays to behind the swimming pool. This is great new space and after a lot of work is now looking great and internally is fully operational. 

A new Code of Conduct applies for the gym room:

UNIFORM

• Students must be wearing MCA sports gear Enclosed shoes must be worn at all times
• No students will be allowed to training in school uniform

USE OF GYM SPACE

• Students must follow all directions from the S&C coach
• Students can only train during allocated times - Some sessions will be reserved for sports teams
• Respect others space when moving around the gym or using equipment

EQUIPMENT

• Place all equipment back in it's correct place
• No dropping weights - If you can pick it up, you can put it down Wipe down and clean equipment after use

BEHAVIOUR

• No swearing - A 3 strike policy will be enforced
• Offensive, aggressive or negative behaviour will not be tolerated No photos or filming of other students

NEW TO THE GYM OR NEED HELP?

Please contact - Adam Earnshaw (S&C Coordinator) earnshawa@marash.qld.edu.au

Holiday Activity

The holiday period proved to be a very busy period across the sports program. We had a track and field team went to Adelaide to participate in the Athletics Australia National Schools Challenge, our cricketers travelling to Canberra for the Marist Schools Cricket Carnival, as well as multiple teams playing matches across Brisbane, our open volleyball team participated in the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup on the Gold Coast, our swimmers had a residential camp and our AFL firsts had a training camp in Brisbane. On top of his we have also had training sessions, trial matches and much learning and development going on across the sports program.

I would like to thank Mr Mitch Reid for organizing, leading and coaching on the cricket tour to Canberra. Our young side performed admirably across the week, finishing third and more importantly developing skills and getting to experience the Marist Cricket Carnival for the first time since COVID-19. Thank you also to Mr Tom Gibson who was the assistant coach and performed a number of roles to support our boys. Thank you also to the parents who attended and Mr Newman for visiting for a few days to support the boys. Congratulations to William Nickelson for winning the Br. Jordan Redden Shield for best batsman of the carnival.

Mr Richard Graham, Director of Track and Field, and Mr Rob Martin, Head Coach, led a crew of staff and boys to Adelaide for the National Schools Challenge, a unique team event. Competing against the very best schools in Australia Marist showed their prowess in taking out the competition. This is fine reward for the dedication over a number of years by Mr Martin and his team of outstanding track and field coaches. Thank you to Mr Burkett, Mr Drew and Mr Prole for assisting on this trip, which was a memorable experience for all.

Mr Knight and 1st VI coach Ms Scarlett Rudder led our volleyball boys to 15th place in division one at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup on the Gold Coast in December. This was a very high-quality competition, the best teams in Australia and the Marist boys acquitted themselves very well in a great preparation event for the AIC season. Thank you to Mr Knight, Ms Rudder and parents and supporters.

The 1st XVIII had a training camp, starting last Friday with a day at the Brisbane Lions new training complex at Springfield. As well as watching the Lions training session, getting a tour of the facility and getting to train on the field the same field as the Lions, the highlight was a Q&A with MCA Old Boy Mr Charlie Cameron, who was so generous after training with his time answering the boys questions and posing for photos. Thank you to Mr Gillett for organizing this special event for the boys. Saturday and Sunday saw the team return to Marist for training, team building and bonding activities to prepare for the season ahead. Thank you to Head Coach Mr Matt Beattie, Mr Gillett, Mr Andrae Mackay and Mr Travers for your work with the boys over the weekend. 

Mr James Boyce, Mr Damian Bromley, Ms Christine Baillie, Ms Geraghty and the swim staff led a camp for both senior and primary school swimmers and many of the boys have been putting in the K’s all through the summer break. Thank you to all staff involved in the preparation for our swimmers. The camp was a great success and kick starts our assault on the AIC championship for 2023.

Thank you also to the many cricket, volleyball, AFL and swimming coaches who gave up personal time to help coach and work with our boys over the holidays. It does not go unnoticed.

Swimming

Mr James Boyce- Head Coach

We are now 41 days out from the AIC Swimming Championships, and we go into our first swimming meet of the season this Friday against Gregory Terrace and Churchie. This will be the swimmer's first opportunity to start competing for places on the 2023 AIC Swimming Team. 

Swimmers are asked to be in the correct 2023 AIC Swimming Uniform on Friday and to be down at the pool by 3:30 pm for warm-ups. 

Many of our swimmers continued to swim over the holidays, training and competing at club meets. The MCA Swimming Club attended Queensland State Swimming Championships held in December, and the MCA Swimming Club finished 10th overall. We had many athletes finish in the top 10, and those swimmers were: 

Individual Achievements 

Archie Bathe

4th in the Boys 16 Years 400m IM 

5th overall in the Boys 16 Years 200m IM

10th in the Boys 16 Years 400m Freestyle

Hannah Casey

Queensland Champion in the Girls 16 Years 200m Freestyle

2nd in the Girls 16 Years 50m Freestyle

6th in the Women's Open 100m Butterfly

Noah Coco

10th overall in the Boys 16 Years 50m Butterfly

6th in the Men's 16 Years 50m Backstroke

Emily Draper

9th overall in the Girls 16 Years 50m Butterfly 

9th Girls 16 Years 50m Freestyle

Isaac Farrelly

9th in the Boys 14 Years 50m Backstroke

10th overall in the Boys 14 Years 100m Backstroke

Jack Goyen

Queensland Champion in the Boys 17 – 18 Years 100m Freestyle

2nd in the Boys 17 – 18 Years 50m Freestyle

3rd in the Boys 17 – 18 Years 100m Butterfly

James Leigh

2nd in the Boys 15 Years 200m Freestyle

5th in the Boys 15 Years 100m Freestyle

9th in the Boys 15 Years 50m Freestyle

2nd in the Boys 15 years 400m IM

2nd in the Boys 15 Years 400m Freestyle

5th overall in the Boys 15 Years 50m Butterfly

2nd in the Boys 15 Years 200m IM

7th in the Boys 15 Years 100m Butterfly

Noah Magoffin

6th in the Boys 14 Years 200m IM

10th in the Boys 14 Years 50m Freestyle

10th in the Boys 14 Years 400m Freestyle

8th in the Boys 14 Years 50m Butterfly

7th in the Boys 14 Years 100m Breaststroke 

3rd in the Boys 14 Years 200m Breaststroke

Luca Martinuzzi

9th in the Boys 15 Years 100m Backstroke

Josh Mason

2nd in the Boys 14 Years 100m Breaststroke

3rd in the Boys 14 Years 50m Breaststroke

4th Boys 14 Years 200m Breaststroke

Archer Mellifont 

Queensland Champion in the Boys 13 Years 100m Freestyle

Queensland Champion in the Boys 13 Years 200m IM

Queensland Champion in the Boys 13 Years 50m Freestyle

2nd overall in the Boys 13 Years 200m Backstroke

Queensland Champion in the Boys 13 Years 50m Backstroke

Queensland Champion in the Boys 13 Years 400m Freestyle 

Queensland Champion in the Boys 13 Years 200m Freestyle

Queensland Champion in the Boys 13 Years 100m Backstroke

Congratulations to Archer Mellifont, who was also the boys under 13 Age Champion for this meet. 

Ryan O’Toole

3rd in the Boys 14 Years 50m Freestyle

4th in the Boys 14 Years 100m Freestyle

3rd overall in the Boys 14 Years 50m Butterfly

6th in the Boys 14 Years 50m Breaststroke

Nick Osborn

3rd in the Boys 12 Years 200m Freestyle 

Queensland Champion in the Boys 12 Years 200m IM

3rd in the Boys 12 Years 100m Butterfly

2nd in the Boys 12 Years 50m Freestyle

2nd in the Boys 12 Years 50m Backstroke

Queensland Champion in the Boys 12 Years 100m Freestyle

2nd overall in the Boys 12 Years 400m Freestyle

3rd overall in the Boys 12 Years 50m Butterfly

10th in the Boys 12 Years 50m Breaststroke

Alex Pedroni 

10th in the Boys 16 Years 50m Breaststroke

Darcey Salter

9th in the Boys 16 Years 100m Backstroke

5th in the men's 16 Years 50m Backstroke

Ed Wild

6th in the Boys 15 Years 200m Backstroke

10th in the Boys 15 Years 100m Backstroke

We also had many MCA relay teams finish in the top ten. 

• Boys 12 Years and Under Medley Relay finished 9th overall, with Will Skerman, Sam Mapledoram, Nick Osborn and Tom Bedggood
• Boys 14 and Under Freestyle Relay Queensland Champions Ryan O’Toole, Noah Magoffin, Archer Mellifont and Josh Mason
• Boys 14 Years and Under Freestyle Relay finished 10th overall, with Isaac Farrelly, Max Russo, Phelix Meehan and Jack Purcell
• Girls 16 Years and Under Freestyle Relay finished 10th overall, with Emily Draper, Molly Flood, Chelsea Adams and Tilly Beehag
• Boys 16 Years and Under Freestyle Relay finished 2nd overall, with Noah Coco, Thomas Hicks, James Leigh and Matthew O’Keeffe
• Boys 16 Years and Under Freestyle Relay Finished 7th overall, with Darcey Salter, Bailey Skinner, Luca Martinuzzi and Nick Marco
• Boys 14 Year and Under Medley Relay Finished 2nd overall, with Archer Mellifont, Josh Mason, Noah Magoffin and Ryan O’Toole
• Boys 16 Years and Under Medley Relay Finished 6th overall, with Noah Coco, Alex Pedroni, James Leigh, and Matthew O’Keeffe
• Boys 16 Years and Under Medley Relay Finished 10th overall, with Darcey Salter, Lachie Vink, Archie Bathe, and Bailey Skinner
• Mixed 14 Years and Under Freestyle Relay finished 4th overall, with Ryan O’Toole, Archer Mellifont, Kate Shield, and Makenzie Sharpe
• Mixed 14 Years and Under Freestyle Relay finished 7th overall, with Noah Magoffin, Josh Mason, Talulah Gooden, and Abby Wild
• Mixed 16 Years and Under Freestyle Relay Queensland Champions and a new Queensland Record, Noah Coco, Thomas Hicks, Emily Draper, and Hannah Casey 

Well done to everyone who competed at this meet. You should all be proud of your achievements. 

The timetable for Term 1 can be found on the College App. If you have any queries regarding swimming, please email swim@marash.qld.edu.au

CRICKET

Mr Mitch Reid – Cricket Coordinator

Over the January school holidays, a number of Marist teams had the opportunity to play games in different competitions. The First XI travelled to Canberra to participate in the Marist Cricket Carnival for the first time since 2019. The carnival was a fantastic experience for the team to play five games of cricket and spend time bonding together.  Overall, the team finished 3rd and had a 3-2 record. A big thank you to coaches Mr Michael Abbott, Mr Tom Gibson, Head of Sport – Mr Derek Lennon and Head of College – Mr Michael Newman for looking after the team in Canberra. I would also like to thank a number of parents who travelled to support the team. 

In January, the 1st XI also played in the AIC T20 competition, hosted by Padua College. This was another great opportunity to prepare for the AIC season. Marist College hosted a similar competition for 10A AIC teams. Finally, the College had 4 teams (2nd XI, 10A, 9A, 8A) play in the Brisbane Cricket Week. Each team played two games in a round-robin competition. Thank you to coaches, players and families for participating in games over the holidays. 

Term 1 Training Schedule

The training schedule for Term 1 is posted on the College app. 

Trial Game – Saturday 28 January

The draw for the trial round this Saturday will be posted on the College app during week. 

Year Level Coordinators 

The full AIC cricket draw is currently on the College app. If a student is unavailable for any games during the season, please email your Year Level Coordinator. 

AIC Cricket Teams 

An updated list of teams will be posted on the College App by Friday 27 January. 

Parent Support 

Parents are encouraged to talk with coaches about how to support the team during games. Parents helping with umpiring and scoring is vital during games so that coaches can spend more time with the students coaching them throughout the game. 

Track and Field

Mr Richard Graham – Director of Rugby and Track and Field

Following the success of the Track and Field program in securing the College's 8th successive AIC championship, a number of athletes continued with their preparation for the Adelaide-based Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships and the National Schools Challenge. 

Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships

After an outstanding Track and Field season, Lee Martin (Year 11), Joel Drew (Year 10), Asher Parkin (Year 10) and Zac Milligan (Year 9) were selected to represent Queensland at the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships. 

Congratulations to the four boys for their commitment to training and their achievements in Adelaide. The boy's exceptional results are as follows:

• Lee Martin - gold medal in the U17 shot put / 6th in the U17 javelin
• Joel Drew - silver medal in the U17 400m hurdles / 5th in the U17 110m hurdles (NEW College Record)
• Zac Milligan - silver medal in the U15 3000m / 6th in the U15 1500m
• Asher Parkin - 7th in the U16 3000m

National Schools Challenge

The National Schools Challenge encapsulates what it means by the quote, “It’s not about the destination, but rather the journey”. The single-day competition is where all the top track and field schools from around Australia come to battle it out for the national gold medal. Going into the competition we were certainly the underdogs, going up against well-known schools such as Sydney’s Knox Grammar and Trinity Grammar as well as Melbourne’s Wesley College. 

Besides from the hard work every young man put in day in day out before the championship, there are a variety of enjoyable moments that pop to mind. Instances like the boxing sessions in the pool where the swimmers perplexedly watched on, the weekly post-workout Noodle Box feeds or the final feast at Grill’d where everyone scoffed down 3 burgers all thanks to Mr Graham’s generous donation of vouchers. All these moments brought us closer than any other team out there on the day, which made each one of us work for the betterment of the team rather than ourselves. 

The first event of the day was a gutsy 400m sprint by Isaac Roach, crossing the line in 5th position with tough headwinds, and giving a national medallist a run for his money. This started our campaign strongly and we knew we were in a good position for the following events. Following a thrilling round of jumps from Ben Caughley finishing in second for both his high and long jump, we quickly climbed our way up into a podium position. Some real fight shown in the sprints from Joel Drew and Xavier Simms saw us battling with Knox grammar for the lead position. Asher Parkin and Lee Martin both backing up from their national campaigns putting their best foot forward and competing for the top spots in their respective events. Lee finishing first in his javelin and 2nd in his shot put, and Asher finishing 7th in the 800m. James’ fantastic run in the 800m placed him in a solid 4th position which gave us a small lead going into the final relay. All these individual efforts helped our team become National Schools Challenge champions in the Intermediate Division (U17). 

We speak on behalf of the entire Adelaide team that this could not have been done without the hard work and dedication of the head coach, Mr Rob ‘Rocket’ Martin who put in countless hours of his own time to write up weekly updates, organise trainings and carpools, assemble schedules and uplift the entire morale of the team before, during and after our championship. He truly did this for the wellbeing of us boys so that we could all experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Also, a big thanks to Mr Richard Graham – your sacrifice to leave your family in order to help us out is appreciated by each athlete, parent and staff member. To Mr Burkett – the quality coaching you have provided to all the boys is much appreciated, and the wonderful photos that you were able to capture during the day have delivered a lifetime of memories. Thanks also to Mr Drew and Mr Prole who supported the team wherever it was required. It made the travel and the competition so much easier. 

Last but not least to the boys, the innumerable hours of training and sacrifices you have made for each other has definitely not gone unnoticed. We know in previous years boys have relaxed their training over the holiday period leading to Marist dropping down the placings. But not this year - we believe this group of boys is something special and we know we are all excited to go again in 2023.

Written by Lee Martin and James Prole

AFL

MCA 1st XVIII Season kicks off with visit to Brisbane Lions

On the last Friday of the summer break 26 members of the 1st XVIII training squad travelled to the brand new $80m home of Brisbane Lions men's and women's teams located in Springfield.

The boys watched the men's squad train and were given a tour of the facility including the indoor training area and an impressive gym. Charlie Cameron, Lions star forward and Marist Old Boy took time out after the morning training session and spoke to the boys about his experience at Marist and the opportunities that AFL had given him. 

As the boys moved on to the field for a training session Charlie shared a few kicks and shook hands with the boys. The squad worked hard in the warm conditions and there was a good amount of team cohesion evident for so early in the season. A warm-down, some lunch, a trip back to the College and a cool-down swim wrapped up the first day of the three-day training camp. 

The boys play their first game of the season next Friday against St Pats at Zillmere.

Welcome to the 2023 AFL season

We are looking forward to another great season at Marist and hope that our boys have a great experience playing the great Australian game.

This week

Some cohorts are not finalised in selections. As the AFL competition is still growing we are limited to the number of teams we can have participate in the AIC competition. Some year levels will be using training this week and the trial round fixtures on Saturday as a part of the selection process. Please if you do not already have an MCA AFL uniform hold off on purchasing one until teams are finalised. We will provide some jerseys for boys to wear this Saturday if you do not already have a jersey.

The student-free day on Monday and the public holiday on Thursday will affect training but all teams will have at least one session this week plus the game on Saturday. These will likely be larger squads as we give everyone more opportunity to gain selection.

Contacts and Training Roster

Contact details and the training roster have been published on the College App. Primary (Year 5 and 6) concerns or questions not able to be addressed by the coach should be directed to John Lambourne, Secondary Year 7-8 should be addressed to Tara Franklin and Derek Lennon, and Year 9-12 Adam Earnshaw and Derek Lennon. You can always CC us into your initial questions as well. adam is new to the College this as our Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator and will be assisting us with AFL with a view to taking over the role in the long term.

Equipment 

For round 1 boys who are selected in teams boys must have the correct MCA AFL shirt, shorts and socks, available from the Uniform Shop.

Boots and a mouthguard are compulsory for all training and matches.

Team Lists

Selected team lists will be published on the College App as soon as they are finalised. Boys are welcome to seek feedback from coaches if they miss selection or are the Bs and would like to be in the As.

Draws

The draw each week is posted on the College App. We post this as quickly as we can each week to allow families to be organised but supplementary matches and communication with eight other schools is complex.

This Saturday will be a trial round v St Patricks College, with round 1 starting on the weekend 3/4 Feb. 

Boys who miss out on AFL

We would love to give everyone a game, one of our key focus areas at MCA is on participation, but in some sports the competition dictates what we can do. Boys who miss selection in an AFL team are very welcome to join cricket and play AIC competition or join volleyball as a part of our internal competition. You just need to email to sports@marash.qld.edu.au or come into the Sports Office under Room 108.

Best of luck for the upcoming season.

Rugby Union

Mr Richard Graham - Director of Rugby and Track and Field

Marist College and St Laurence’s College co-hosted a Scrum Safe professional development workshop for all AIC coaches during the pupil-free week. The initiative was widely attended by the AIC schools and demonstrates a strong desire for the schools to deliver a safe, competitive and enjoyable rugby union competition.

One of the key aims of the workshop was to develop a consistent approach to coaching Scrum Safe techniques across the AIC competition and to create a network of coaches collaborating in the interest of player development and safety. In running the workshop at this time of the year, it will enable coaches to conduct ‘Front Row Club’ sessions throughout Term 1 in preparation for the AIC trials and competition phases. 

The added benefit of this kind of training is it is transferrable to all contact areas of the game. The focus on core strength, control, body shape and body awareness are all key aspects of rugby union.

Whilst there is increasing concerns around the safety of participants in all sports, some mixed messaging from rugby union has heightened concerns with particular attention around the safety of the scrum contest. An integral part of the game of rugby is contested scrums and it is critical that both the technique and athletic development components of scrums is developed appropriately. It is important these techniques are taught from a young age. 

The format of the afternoon included –

1. Foundation Techniques – Individual Safety “Building the Base” 
2. Athletic Development Strength and Movement Exercises 
3. Front Row scenarios that can be routinely practised weekly 

Our goal, where appropriate, is to have all 1st XV and 2nd XV games along with our ‘A’ teams safely contesting scrums in the 2023 AIC season. The view would be for an expansion of teams in future years. 

Mr Richard Graham and Mr Anthony Mathison were two of the key presenters. Mr Mathison led the front-row scenarios where his knowledge in this area of the game is exceptional.

A big thanks to Mr Pat Richards and St Laurence’s College for hosting the event and for providing a number of willing students to assist in the demonstration.

Student Achievements

Zac Milligan

…….another New College record for Zac Milligan.

Congratulations to Zac Milligan for breaking another College Track and Field record. Recently Zac broke a long-standing 800m record in the U14 age group. 

During December Zac broke the College U14 1500m record with a time of 4:16.20. The previous record (4:17.09) was held since 2018 by one of last season's Track and Field captains, Tom Prole. 

Australian All Schools Athletics Championships

Lee Martin - gold medal in the U17 shot put / 6th in the U17 javelin

Joel Drew - silver medal in the U17 400m hurdles / 5th in the U17 110m hurdles (NEW College Record)

Zac Milligan - silver medal in the U15 3000m / 6th in the U15 1500m. 

Asher Parkin - 7th in the U16 3000m. 

Water Polo

Sean Bright, Joey Cervetto, Angus Cope and Max Russo are members of the UQWaterpoloClub ‘Barras’ 16s team who won gold at National Championships at AYWPC in Perth. The team were undefeated through the five-day championships. They beat Sydney Uni in the semi-final and won the grand final in a penalty shootout against Sydney Northern Beaches. Congratulations boys!

Joshua Pope 

Joshua captained Brisbane North u13 Blue to the bronze medal spot in the Les Kinnane Memorial Shield cricket carnival at Ipswich. Ten representative regional teams (120 boys) from across Queensland battled it out over the week in a combination of 50 over and T20 games. In the finals Brisbane North beat Metro South-West to claim 3rd spot. Joshua was pleased to get the 7th most runs for the week of all players across the comp.

AIC Swimming Mango Fundraiser - Thank You!

Thank you to the College community who came together to support our annual AIC Swimming mango fundraiser at the end of 2022. One of our long-standing parent supporters, Louise Salter, donated a tray of mangos to the  Mission office for Fr Tini and the Brothers. Seen here delivering the mangos to Fr Tini and Luke McMahon are Year 12 swimmers Darcey Salter, Eoin Paznikov (AIC Swimming Captain), and Matthew O’Keeffe (AIC Swimming Vice Captain).