TERM 4 2019 SPORT (YEAR 7 & 8)

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

Trials are currently taking place for the school AFL, Cricket and Basketball sides. Students who have nominated for teams via the Rep Sport Classroom page are to check in on the daily notices for days of their trials. Students who are unable to make their trials are to notify Miss Davis or the rep sport coaches.

Draws and details of the Term 4 Diocesan Sports events can be found at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/events-secondary/.

The Berg and Downie Shield Cricket knockouts will also begin in Term 4. Dates and draws for these events will be known at the beginning of next term. 

Good luck to all students representing Wollongong Diocese next week at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships in Sydney! 

NSWCCC FOOTBALL KNOCKOUT FINALS 

Last week the Senior Girls Football side travelled to Valentine Sports Park in Glenwood to compete in the Semi Final of the NSWCCC Football Knockout.

After the many training lunchtime training sessions lead by their coach Mr Watson, the girls were in great form. When we arrived the morning of the Semi, the heat caught us by surprise and the girls knew that they would need to give their all on the pitch.

Luckily, we had plenty of players to share the game time and give the girls a break when needed. The first half of the semi-final against Freeman College was tight. Both teams had chances to score. Year 8 student and keeper for the side, Anna Simon, had an excellent game in goals, keeping the ball out of our defensive goal.

Right before half time, after a messy patch of play near our attacking goal, Captain and Year 12 student, Olivia Delahenty tapped the ball into the net.

At half time we were in the lead 1-nil. In the second half the girls really put the pressure on Freeman with an early goal from Casey Johnson, putting us in the lead by 2. Whilst Freeman managed to get one goal passed us, our mids and forwards had other ideas when Ella Munro and Kaitlyn Sennitt both slotted goals in the back of the opponent’s net. The end score was 4-1 and St John’s had progressed to the Grand Final!!!

The Grand Final match was played against St Francis Hamilton (Newcastle). This match was extremely tight from the beginning, where we were up against some strong and experienced players.

The day was hot again, and the team were 2 players short with Olivia and Jessie heading home to complete their HSC Drama performances. Despite the changes, all the girls in the side remained level headed and in the zone for their big game. St John’s had the majority of possession and chances to score. Unfortunately, a handball in our defensive box gave St Francis a penalty that resulted in their 1-nil lead. The score remained 1-nil for most of the game.

Once again, Anna had an outstanding game in goals, keeping the ball away and saving the team on many occasions. Zoe Anderson and Jasmine Tan had solid performances at the back, making it hard for St Francis to further attack. The guts and determination from Casey Johnson on the right hand side kept St John’s with an attacking edge, as Casey consistently fought for the ball and progressed it down the field.

With less than 10 minutes to go, St Francis scored again, making it 2-nil. Our side did not let the score line keep them down and the girls played right until the very (unknown) end of stoppage time. Kaitlyn Sennitt managed to find the ball with only a few minutes to go and scored for St John’s. With the score now 2-1 and the time remaining unknown, our side had all the attack and momentum for another goal. Unfortunately we just ran out of time and St Francis came away with a 2-1 win. It was said by many supporters on the day that had our girls had another 5 minutes, we could have equalised the score. The fitness of our girls proved to help them all the way to the very end and they were unlucky not to get the win. 

Despite the narrow loss, it should be celebrated that our Open Girls side are the 2nd best team in all Catholic schools in NSW. What an excellent achievement! Mr Watson did a great job as coach and commented highly on the girls’ sportsmanship and positive attitude all the way throughout the knockout.  

A big thankyou to all the parents and supporters who drove the girls up to the two games and cheered St John’s on without hesitation. As a school we should be incredibly proud of these players and their achievement as a team. Well done girls!