2023 April Holiday Sport Highlights
³ûÖÊÓƵ students shine across land and sea
During the April school holidays, ³ûÖÊÓƵ students shone across the land, as well as on and off the water.
³ûÖÊÓƵ Swim Club was represented by eight swimmers at the Australian Age Championships, held on the Gold Coast, where approximately 2,500 athletes competed over nine days of competition. There were many highlights including ³ûÖÊÓƵ being represented in eight Finals with Alexandra (Year 9) winning gold as part of the NSW 14 Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay team. The standout performance of the meet, from a ³ûÖÊÓƵ perspective, was the 13 to 14 Years 4 x 50 Freestyle Relay team of Taylah, Kira, Grace, and Alexandra, Year 9, winning the Club’s first ever medal at an Australian Championships, placing third and being awarded the bronze medal.
After a week of strong competition at the Age Championships, Georgia (Year 10) remained on the Gold Coast to compete at the Australian Open Swimming Championship and World Para Championships selection trials. She competed with great determination and courage while lining up against paralympians, world champions, and many of her sporting idols. Many learnings and experience for future events were taken from this opportunity for Georgia, the whole ³ûÖÊÓƵ team, and coach Mr Michael Creighton.
Meanwhile, in Brisbane, at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, Maya (Year 9) lit up the track with three incredible runs to be crowned the Under 15 Years 100m champion, whilst also collecting silver in the 200m and as part of the Under 16 NSW 4 x 100m Relay team.
At the same event, Zara (Year 10), competing in the U17 2000m Steeplechase, came home strongly in a personal best time to finish 14th overall and the third fastest NSW runner.
Back in the water, ³ûÖÊÓƵ was well represented at the NSW Junior Water Polo Championships across all three age groups (U14, U16 and U18). Competing for their clubs, ³ûÖÊÓƵ students excelled in the pool with Isabella (Year 12), Lily (Year 12), and Sassy (Year 10) winning gold in the U18s for Balmain. Lily was named in the tournament team, Sassy then backed it up in the U16s, while Bailey (Year 10), competing for Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers, claimed bronze.
The small, yet effective, Equestrian team took on the NSW All Schools Equestrian Championships with two riders taking on the 65cm Showjumping events, namely Paige (Year 7) and Amy (Year 12). After three rounds, in which Amy was the leader of one, she came in fourth overall, while Paige finished up 17th.
Out on the ocean, Jemma (Year 11) competed in the NSW Combined High Schools Sailing Championships, placing third in the 13ft Skiff Division.
Finally, just prior to the school break, Georgina (Year 11) ventured across the land to compete on the river at the Australian Rowing Championships in Perth, where she placed fourth overall in the Coxed Quad Scull and the semi-finals of the Double Scull. These are incredible achievements considering the nature and competitiveness of the sport.