Sports Bulletin – Issue 15, 26 October 2023

Often, I am asked how we measure the success of a school Sport programme. Is it through the black and white statistics of wins and losses? Is it through the engagement of our community through coaching and volunteering? Is it through data collated on growth and participation levels? Although very difficult to measure, I strongly believe success is inherently linked to culture.

Earlier this week I received an email from a member of the external community. This person is not an Old Boy nor a parent or coach. Below is an excerpt from the email.

“I’m continually impressed with the men that graduate from your school and this morning I witnessed another example of how well you teach the guys not only in education but also encouragement and support of each other in daily life.

We were in the lane next to the men in lane 5 this morning and part of their set was getting out and doing 10 push ups. At the time we noticed, one of the guys was having a struggle to complete his 10 push ups, what followed just literally stopped us.

There were about 10 to 15 men in his lane watching this one guy and when they saw him starting to struggle they pulled it together and literally started cheering him on with genuine encouragement, counting it down how many he had left, and applauding him to the end.

It may seem a miniscule act, but this is what leads us to be more confident physically, mentally and knowing they have the support of the other guys around them when it is needed.”

Well done to our AIC Swimmers and to our Swimming Coordinators, Managers and Coaches.

Aligning with our core Augustinian value of Community, if we all continue to show care and support for those around us, as our boys have done at Langlands Pool earlier this week, then we – as a College and as a Sport programme – will continue to be successful.

Important dates – Term 4
Term 1 Sport registrations have now closed as we commence/approach selection trials in AFL, Cricket and Volleyball. Please see important dates below for Term 4:

• Week 5 –
  • AIC AFL and Volleyball selection trials commence (all year levels)
    • Visit the Locker Room website page for further details.
  • AIC Cricket training commences for Year 6-9 A/B teams
• Week 6 – Pre-season games vs Iona College
• Week 7 – Pre-season games vs St Laurence’s College

Communications
Families are reminded to access all Sport information via the Villanova College website and the Villanova College App. The Locker Room tab provides updated information regarding training schedules and current AIC/trial draws.

The AIC Draw 2023 can also be accessed here. A note that in some cases, draws may not match the AIC draw. Families are encouraged to always check The Locker Room for accurate draws. Weekly Team Lists will be posted regularly to the Parent Lounge and Student Cafe Portals.

AIC Draw 2024 – Draft only
Please find attached the “draft” AIC Draw for 2024. Please note this is only a draft version and changes may occur prior to the commencement of Term 1, 2024.

AIC Draw 2024 (draft only)

Return of Basketball and Rugby League Hire Jerseys
Final reminder. All students who played Basketball and Rugby League in Term 3, 2023 are required to return their hire jersey to the Uniform Shop. This was required by Monday 16 October. This has now been extended to Wednesday 1 November. Failure to return jerseys incurs a fee of $110 which will be applied from Thursday 2 November.

Team Photos for Water Polo
Team photos for our three AIC Water Polo teams will be taken on Friday morning 3 November, from 8:15am in front of Langlands building. Boys are to dress in full academic uniform.

Term 1 Sport Registrations
Term 1 Sport registrations are now closed. Students are encouraged to visit the Sports Office if there are any changes to what was submitted online.

Training Schedules
For all updated information regarding training and selection trials schedules, please visit the Locker Room page of the Villanova College website.

Villa Sport – Term 4, 2023 – Training schedule, Weeks 2-4

Villa Sport – Term 4, 2023 – Training Schedule, Weeks 5-7

Mr Shaun McLean, Director of Sport

Villanova entered five teams into the AIC Touch Football Invitational held at St Laurence’s playing fields, Runcorn last weekend. All teams played extremely well with 3 out of the 5 teams ending with a podium finish. Our Year 11 team finished 4th in their competition with the primary team finishing 3rd,  Year 7 team 2nd and Year 8/9 team 2nd. The boys that participated on the weekend are extremely talented players, as it should be mentioned that there was very limited training before the competition showing the depth of Touch Football talent we have at Villanova.

As a teacher at the school and coach of the Year 8/9 team, I was extremely proud to be a part of the Villanova community over the weekend. The boys were gracious in both victory and defeat, displaying the true Villanova spirit. Here is hoping we can go one better in the future.

A special thank you to also to Mr Classen, Mr Russell and Year 12 students Caden and Connor for coaching our teams.

Ms Emily Want, AIC Touch Year 8/9 Coach

Three Villanovan teams participated in the AIC Water Polo tournament held at Marist College Ashgrove last Sunday.

Our Year 7 team had a great day with two wins and two losses in four very close encounters. The Year 8/9 team had one win and two close losses. Our Year 10/11 team had two comfortable wins against St Peters Lutheran College and Iona College and a tight game against Marist with a 3-7 scoreline. This was a great achievement as many of the other schools had large losses to the eventual winners Marist. Our Year 10/11 team placed second.

Thank you to our parent who helped on the score-bench and our Coach, Old Boy Brandon Frail. Students Charley Hegarty and Patrick McIlwain were also great assistant coaches.

Congratulations to all boys, especially those representing Villanova College for their last time in AIC Water Polo: Luke Patterson, Dan Walding, Benny Lawrance and Joe Hoctor.

Mrs Juanita Jacobs, Water Polo Coordinator

Cricket trials were held this week at Little Langlands for all students wishing to trial for a team in 2024. Phase two of the selection process will be conducted this Sunday 29 October at Villanova Park, where the boys will be asked to trial against other Villanova students. The games have been scheduled for Sunday, as many of our players are currently playing either EDJCA or BEARS competitions on Saturdays. Due to player numbers, only the selected students will need to trial on Sunday. They will then be placed into trial teams for games to be played in the new year.

** Please note – all year levels below are 2024 year levels. For example, if your son is current in Year 6 (2023), he will attend the Year 7 (2024) trials this Sunday 29 October.

Cricket Trials – Selected players only from Year 7 – 10 (2024),
Sunday 29 October 2023 at Villanova Park
Please note the trial games for cricket will be played on Sunday 29 October at Villanova Park. These trials are for selected teams/students only from Years 7-10 (2024). Depending on whether player numbers increase or decrease during the trials next week, some games may be added or cancelled.

Date:               Sunday 29 October 2023
Venue:             Villanova Park, Manly Road, Tingalpa
Uniform:         Villa cricket whites or any suitable sports clothing

* All players need to be at their respective venues 30 minutes prior to the commencement of their game.

Years 7 to 10
Venue:  Villanova Park, Manly Road, Tingalpa

2024 AIC Cricket Coaches needed
Unfortunately, we still need coaches to cover a number of teams for 2024. If you have a son in any of these teams and are willing to take on a team, can you please contact the Sports Office, sportsofffice@vnc.qld.edu.au. The teams that have yet to have a coach assigned to them are; 9B, 8C, 8D and 5D

Zone Cricket
In case of bad weather, parents are to contact their team manager directly. Notices for zone cricket will not be placed on the College App. Zone Cricket training continues next week from Weeks 5-9 at Little Langlands, schedule below:

Mr Chris Everding, Cricket Coordinator

Students are encouraged to read the daily notices regarding Composite District Trials for 16-19 Years Baseball and Cricket.

Villanova community, please be advised that moving forward, External Achievements noted in the weekly College Newsletters and Sports Bulletins will be acknowledging sporting achievements at the state or national representation levels only (or similar significant achievements as decided by the College). Thank you for your understanding.