Sport Update

We are starting Term 2 off with a bang! There are lots of events coming up and lots of nominations and trials for students to sign up for. All students can nominate for school sporting teams via google forms on Compass. Please remind your child to check regularly for updates and closing dates to avoid them missing out.

I would like to remind parents that we are currently improving our sporting program for all students to develop their skills but also their leadership and pride in representing St Joseph’s. Students who are successful in a team selection are now provided with a player contract. This allows students to understand the value and importance of their position and the privilege of being part of our school teams. 

I wish all our Term 2 sporting teams the very best of luck for the weeks of training and competitions ahead.

Diocesan Cross Country

Due to poor weather conditions, Diocesan Cross Country Carnival will now be held on Week 5, Monday 22nd May. Parents, please check Compass for further details of this carnival.

2023 St Joseph’s Representative Team

Open Girls Soccer

The girls attended the Opens Soccer Gala Day on Thursday 27th March. We were off to a slow start, sadly losing our first game however this came as the motivational kick the girls needed for the rest of the day. With the help of our wonderful coaches - Jett Stroemer, Noah Bechara and Munesu Marevanhema, the girls were excited to give it their best for the rest of the day. We ran through some training drills and worked out our best strategic plays before playing our second game against Mt Carmel. Lola Garcia scored the tying goal in the second half, with the girls coming off the field cheering together. Mackenzie Best was offering insightful plays throughout the game, encouraging the girls to get involved in tackles. It was great to see this support shared throughout the day as we had many players who had come from a football background and were trying out something new.

Whilst unsuccessful in making it to the final play-offs, the girls demonstrated great team spirit and collaboration across the entire day, often cheering on for their teammates and offering playback advice at the end of each game. We saw a major improvement in the girls on field communication and overall skill as the day went on, which was very impressive!

Overall, the girls should be very proud of their representation of the school and for giving a new sport a go. It was a great day in the sun at Ocean Park, Woonona and the girls had a blast. A big thanks to the girls for their participation throughout the day and our three year 12 boys (Noah, Jett & Munesu) who helped as linesmen and in coaching the girls throughout the day.

Miss Sneddon
Coach

Olympics Unleashed

Last week, Olympian Sarah Carli visited our Elite/Aspiring Athletes for a chat about her journey from a high performing student to a very successful Olympic Athlete. Sarah currently competes in the 400m hurdles and her story of resilience is truly inspiring. Students in this program were also given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their sport and goals with Sarah. 

Upcoming Events

Boys Basketball Development Squad

Girls Netball Trials

Get Active Friday’s

Every Friday, students will have access to the school gym before school to get active before classes. Physical activity is proven to improve brain health and focus, improve mental health, improve strength of muscles and bones and make everyday activities easier. This program aims to get kids active before school starts and improve their focus throughout the day. All students are invited to attend this program from 8:15am each week. 

Dance Company

SJCHS Dance Company commenced this week and it was great to see all students keen and eager to begin learning their routine. The Dance Company will perform at Wollongong Eisteddfod on Saturday 1st July. We are excited to see this group develop and work together over the coming terms. Stay tuned for further performance opportunities.

14s/16s/Opens Girls Rugby League School Team Nominations

St Joseph's is looking to put together 3 Girls' Rugby League teams for the Sam Bremner Girls Tackle Day. 

These teams will receive tackle and development training to ensure the safety of the players. If you are interested in trialling for these teams, please nominate using the form below. 

Team training will only proceed if we can get enough numbers. Team training MAY occur before school to allow adequate preparation and limited class disruption. 

Age groups are as follows:

Under 14s

Under 16s

Opens

Tournament Date: Term 3, Week 2, 25th July

Location: Albion Park

Nominations Close: Week 3, Friday 12th May

Nomination Link: https://forms.gle/2ALXddyMFYDrdDG49

Southern Country Girls 16's Rugby League Trials Nominations 2023

Nominations are open for the 2023 Girls 16’s Southern Country Rugby League

Venue: Trials to be held in Bruce, ACT on Tuesday 27 June 2023.

Age limitations: Students must be born in 2007 or 2008 or turning 15 or 16 in the year of competition.

Combined Trial: This trial will involve students from Wollongong, Bathurst, Canberra/Goulburn, and Wagga Dioceses for selection in the Southern Country girl's rugby league team.

Rugby League Pathway:

If selected, players will attend a training afternoon from 1pm – 4pm at the Centre of Excellence in Homebush on Wednesday16 August. The NSWCCC selection carnival will follow on Thursday 17 August, 2023 at St Mary’s where the southern country team will trial against two metro teams from Sydney and a northern country team.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE: FRIDAY 26th May, 2023

Nomination Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaV_qTMuSKdAbaCKIZgI9JuQ4nLE-ZnZlMJVUshMlK3Mttvw/viewform

Upcoming NSWCCC Events:

NSWCCC Hockey SELECTIONS Open Boys & Girls & U16 Boys & Girls @ Bathurst 15 May CLOSE DATE: 5 May @ 5pm

NSWCCC Rugby League SELECTIONS MUST have trialled through DIO selection Trial

NSWCCC Cross Country MUST attend DIO carnival (May 22nd)

Sporting Success

Mackenzie Best

Congratulations to Mackenzie Best on being selected for the Diocesan Soccer team. She will compete later this month at the NSWCCC Football Championships. We wish her all the best in further selection.

Emily Hollingsworth

Earlier this week Emily attended the U15 Girls NSWCCC AFL trials in Wagga Wagga. Emily was successful in her trial and was 1 of the 6 girls chosen from the Wollongong Area to be part of this team. She will compete later this month to make the NSW All Schools team. We wish her all the best for this selection.

Tayissa Buchanan

Congratulations to Tayissa who placed 3rd at the Australian U18s Championships in the school holidays. She has had a tremendous season returning from injury and we look forward to seeing her compete in the upcoming school athletics season.

Declan Bone

Congratulations to Declan Bone who recently competed at the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast. Declan competed in the 4x50m Medley Relay and the 4x50m Freestyle Relay. In both events, Declan swam a 2-second PB. Well done Declan. Keep up the good work.

Thomas Hofman

Thomas was recently selected for the U15 Boys NSW Indigenous Basketball Team. This is a huge effort to be selected but on top of this Thomas was chosen to Captain the team. Congratulations on your selection Thomas.

Caitlin Brooker

Congratulations to Caitlin who has recently been selected to represent Australia at the Shukokai World Karate Championships in Cape Town, South Africa in July. Previously, Caitlin has represented both QLD and NSW in competitive kata (individual display of the karate techniques), competitive team kata, and competitive kumite (defensive and offensive sparring/physical fighting). Over the course of the past eight years she has trained under many international coaches and world champions attending seminars and camps to further enhance her style and technique and her goal has always been to represent Australia so this has been an immense achievement. 

Caitlin has achieved a brown belt in two separate karate styles (Shitoryu and Shotokan) and will grade into her black belt in a third style (Shukokai) later this year. 

Well done Caitlin! We are looking forward to seeing your results in July.

Ellie Mitchell & Indianna Surian