Isn’t it exciting to see the return of sport in some sort of normal capacity over the last couple of weeks and the happy faces on the students competing in their favourite sports both for the school and their community teams.

With the beginning of hockey last Friday, the College community is already getting back into the swing of things with 3 under 16 teams and 3 18 and under competing in this new junior competition.

Although the College teams might not be playing, many footballers are excited to hit the field again under their local club teams with some of our boys representing the Hamilton Kangaroos and other local community teams. Yesterday also saw the football academy kick off with its first session for the term.

Unfortunately for the girls it doesn’t look like senior netball will be making an appearance this year; however, younger students have taken the opportunity to play for their own community teams. Shooting is also making a positive return, with no interschool competitions on the way yet but encouragement for anyone with a shooting licence to join in for Monday or Tuesday trainings. Please contact Ms McGoon for more details.

Our basketball teams have been entered and we wait until the HBA meeting next week to confirm whether a new season will begin during the week of 31st August. More information about training resuming and competition dates will then be released.

Unfortunately, the planned GD Coleraine Shooting event and GD “Gala Day” for this term have been cancelled.

House Sport Afternoons are still to be confirmed for this term; however, the last 5 weeks of term at lunchtimes will see plenty of opportunities for students to get active and represent their House in some sports including basketball, football and hockey.

Mr Leigh Alexander

Director of Sport

Outdoor Education Camps

I thought I would give you an update on our planned Outdoor Education camps program for Term 4. At this stage the Year 7, 8 and 9 camps will be going ahead as planned at those locations and during those dates; however, the programs will be modified as necessary to adhere to government restrictions and to ensure the safety of all students and staff in attendance in relation to COVID-19 protocols. Extra precautions are also being planned for by the school and AUSCAMP in the general running of this important component of the school year.

A final decision about these camps is most likely to be made in the next few weeks.

As the Year 10s missed out on their camp last term, we are exploring the possibility of running a 2021 April holidays Central Australian experience for these students as an optional camp.

To gauge whether it is worthwhile going ahead with the planning I need to hear back from students only if they are definitely keen to go. The student should be someone who really wanted to go this year and is prepared to give up most of their school holidays in April next year for this experience and is willing/able to pay the $2000 approx. it will cost. If this is the case, they should email me back by Friday 7th August at the latest.

Mr Leigh Alexander

Director of Outdoor Education

Hockey Draw

Friday 31 July – 18 and Under

College Lions v Demons – 4.30pm

College Tigers v Monivae – 6.00pm

College Panthers bye

Saturday 1 August – U16

College Pumas v Monivae – 9.00am

College Leopards v Coleraine – 10.30am

College Jaguars bye

Saturday 1 August – Div 4

Numbats v Bandicoots – 1.30pm

Drop Bears v Tassie Devils – 4.30pm

Hockey

It was great to be back at the hockey field on the weekend and even greater to see the happy faces of all those playing. Some fine hockey was on display too!

This reduced season of seven weeks plus Grand Final has seen the introduction of a new Division – 18 and Under – due to the community sport restrictions. The new Division allows all our students who had been expecting to play at Open level to have a regular game.

18 and Under:

The first game played was a scintillating affair of excellent hockey, displaying a high skill level and strong commitment by all players. College Tigers won this first encounter by 2-1 over College Lions. Ferg Roberts and Lexie Northcott scored for the victors whilst Harry Austin snagged a goal for Lions. At the conclusion of the game, the umpires noted the clean and poised manner in which the game was played. These teams can be expected to have some great battles over the season.

College Panthers took out the second match with a 4-1 triumph over Monivae. Four hockey debutantes played for the Panthers and we were pleased to welcome them to hockey. In particular, of this group, Jock Keiller stood out with three goals whilst the experienced Tane Nelson also found the net. This game was not of the same standard as the first but now the newbies have found their feet, we can look for significant improvement over the season.

Under 16:

College Jaguars played Coleraine in Saturday’s first game. After appearing somewhat at sea for the first fifteen minutes, the team did well to get back into the match and were only a goal down with minutes to play; however, a late goal to Coleraine sealed the issue. Olivia Read scored both Jaguars’ goals in a 2-4 loss but the team showed great promise and endeavour.

College Leopards recorded a fine 3-2 win over Monivae. The team also started slowly and the half-time scoreline was 0-2. A much stronger second half where the midfield was more controlled and a brace from Isaac Hocking and single goal from Lucy Roberts saw the team on top at the end. Isaac’s second goal was a superb, controlled back-stick shot high into the corner of the net.

College Pumas had the bye this week.

It was fun!

Neil MacLean and Kristen Waldron

Heads of Hockey

Dates to Remember

Monday 3 July