Sport News
School Swimming Carnival
The annual school swimming carnival made a big splash this year, with students showing incredible spirit, sportsmanship, and skill in the pool. A standout moment of the day was Te Ari'i Aperau-Bob breaking the long-standing 100m Backstroke record, a remarkable achievement. Congratulations, Te Ari'i, on this fantastic milestone!
One of the most entertaining events was the Year 7 house noodle relay, where excitement ran high as each house gave it their all, racing with creativity and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see so many students getting involved and supporting their teammates.
A huge thank you goes out to the Year 11 SLR class and our dedicated House Captains, whose hard work behind the scenes ensured the day ran smoothly. From timekeeping to marshalling and encouraging participation, their efforts made a big difference and helped create a fun and memorable carnival for everyone.
Finally, we wish the best of luck to our Diocesan Swim Team as they prepare to represent our school at the next level. We know they’ll do us proud!
Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and contributed to making this year’s swimming carnival such a success and congratulations to WARRIGAL House for taking out the Swimming Carnival as Champion House for the 3rd year in a row.
Swimming Age Champions
Congratulations to our 2025 Age Champions and the Runners up.
Diocesan Swimming Team
Congratulations to the 30 students who have qualified through to the Wollongong Diocesan Swim Championships. They will head to Corrimal Pools on Monday 10th March to compete against the other Catholic Schools for a spot in this representative team.
Please check the document below for the events your child has been selected in. Your Compass consent should be completed ASAP to make sure our team is ready to compete on the day.
School Cross Country
The 2025 St Joseph’s Annual Cross Country Carnival, will be held at the Kembla Joggers Cross Country Running Park at Brownsville. The cross-country carnival is compulsory for all students in Years 7-12. We would like to build school community with ALL students expected to attend.
All students are required to complete this form.
Venue: Integral Energy Recreation Park (Kembla Joggers Clubhouse)
Address: Lot 1, 88 Darkes Road, Brownsville
Transport: Students can catch shuttle buses from school or make their own way to the venue. Please fill in this form in regard to your chosen transport option.
Arrival Time: Students making their own way to the venue need to arrive at 8:15 am. Students catching the buses from school need to be at school between 7:45 am and 8:15 am. Students travelling by bus will return to school at 2:30 pm for normal buses in the afternoon. Students can also make their own way home at the end of the carnival.
Canteen: Pizza Van ($15/pizza)
Mini Donuts
Dippin Dots
We also encourage you to pack your own food and plenty of water.
These will be made accessible to each year group during the allocated lunch break.
Uniform: Students should dress in their house colours and in attire suitable for sports activities on the day. Please bring a towel, waterproof picnic blanket, plastic tarp or chair to sit on and a change of clothes, socks, shoes and a spare plastic bag for wet/muddy clothes/shoes. Athletes running in the competitive running event need to run in school sports uniform or appropriate running attire.
Students are permitted to dress in:
- ¾ Tights, mid-length shorts
- Coloured socks
- Coloured hat
- Fancy dress costumes
- Shoulders MUST be covered (T-shirts)
- Sports Uniform
Students are NOT permitted to wear:
- Shorts other than those listed above
- Skate shoes, Nike Air Force, converse, crocs, thongs, and other canvas shoes
- Midriff tops, singlet tops
- Offensive clothing (such as clothing with offensive slogans/logos)
Back-Up Date: TBC
Wet Weather: In the event of wet weather, a message will be posted on Compass and students will be emailed by 7 am on the day of the carnival. If the carnival is washed out, it will be held at school during Week 11 (at a time to be advertised via Compass). A paper selection will then take place in the event of further inclement weather. In the instance of a cancellation, students will be expected to attend school as normal.
Footwear: All students are required to wear joggers. Spiked footwear is not permitted.
Medical: In a situation of injury - runners are required to contact the nearest course official. Anyone who suffers from asthma should be encouraged to take their puffer before the race or to run with their puffer. All students will be physically active on the day and are expected to participate. Students who are unable to participate or attend on the day need to provide a medical certificate.
Early Sign out: All students who are not catching the buses back to school will be dismissed at approximately 2:15 pm. If you are picking your child up earlier than this, parents MUST collect their child from the sign-out desk. Students will not be allowed to leave the carnival early without a parent presenting to the sign-out desk. Children are to have a physical note in their DIARY for a pass out.
Girls Get Active
We have commenced our NEW GIRLS ONLY gym program on a Wednesday morning and have had over 20 girls attend this each week. It has been so great to see them come along and create a special community that is working to improve their health and fitness.
Great news, Woolworths Albion Park have jumped on board and will be providing students who attend this session and our SJ Fit Club on a Thursday with a muesli bar and juice after they finish to help them stay fueled for Period 1. We thank Woolworths Albion Park for their generosity and support in keeping our kids healthy.
Upcoming Diocesan Representative Nominations
Please see the list of upcoming Diocesan Representative Trials. You are required to nominate via the forms below and your application will be reviewed by a panel of coaches. If your application is successful, you will be notified by Miss Power.
To be eligible for these nominations, your child MUST have experience in the sport and be currently playing.
Representative experience is an advantage, however not compulsory.
Please see the below website for all further information:
https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/student-experience/sport/secondary-sport-events
Any further questions, please see Miss Power.
Please note: NO late nominations will be accepted.
Rugby League Boys 15's & 18's Selections & Girls 16s Selections
The 2025 Boys 15's & 18's & Girls 16's Wollongong Rugby League Trials to be held at Ziem's Park, Corrimal OR Centenary Park, Albion Park on Wednesday 26 March 2025. (Venue to be confirmed)
Eligibility:
- 15 years Students must be 14 or 15 years of age as at 31st December in the year of competition.
- 16 years Students must be 15 or 16 years of age as at 31 December in the year of competition
- 18 years Students must be 16,17 or 18 years of age as at 31st December in the year of competition.
Nominations Close: 3rd March
Nomination Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv-rpHWkefQhQ8fsqwKVUUtQNDNCc0hy-4nwYOJFRwqUqT0g/viewform
Southern Country Girls 18's Rugby League Trials Nominations
This girls combined Rugby League trial is for students from the Wollongong diocese to gain pathway access to NSWCCC Rugby League Selections.
Eligibility:
Students are required to gave experience in the game of Rugby League, be playing in regular competition. Have not had a head injury/concussion in the past two weeks or have been cleared if head injury as occurred. Representative background in Rugby League, although not compulsory, is a major consideration for this trial.
Nominations Close: 5th March
Nomination Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0EBq_6aWGnjDy-eEdZtBXLLwh31IGWTOnuqNlWAJo4C1Jkw/viewform
Netball 15s & Open Girls Nomination
A team of 10 players in each age division will be selected in the Wollongong representative team to go to participate in the NSWCCC Netball Selection Trials to be staged in Penrith 15's NSWCCC Selections 29 May 2025 & 18's NSWCCC Selections 30 May 2025
Eligibility:
Players who nominate should be experienced in Netball, play regularly and have representative background.
Nominations Close: 7th March
Nomination Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSentuvFuVRMOX6XN1dx9IkGMORgVhDB1XR9nXdnE7eJ7QyhGg/viewform
18s Boys & Girls Football (Soccer)
Due to the success of last year's selection process through an individual trial. The secondary sports council will be conducting an individual trial to select the 2025 18's Boys & Girls Wollongong representative teams.
Eligibility to nominate:
- students must be selected as members of their school based 18's team
- students must participate in the Opens Wollongong Schools Championships day
- students nomination will be reviewed and offered a position at the selection trial
Students who nominate for the Open selection trial, need to meet the following criteria:
- Be available to represent Wollongong 27 & 28 May at the NSWCCC Football Championships
- should be playing regularly in a registered association
- be highly skilled and advanced in their Football skills
- have representative level experience. e.g. Youth grade, reserve, first grade and or NPL1 (should only be recommended standard of student nomination)
- Be a member of their school Opens Football team and participated in the Diocese Championships Day with their school team
Please read the information on the nomination form.
Nominations close: April 4th
Nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHKZsfaoBV_GcsY6OXLwsvS_dVVNhBZrPSkw5Xh-HdOeCeyQ/viewform
Upcoming NSWCCC Nominations
If your child plays at a high/rep level for their sport and is keen on trialling for a NSWCCC team, please register via the link below:
https://csnsw.sport/
Please note:
- No late entries are accepted.
- Students attending these trials should be at a representative level/standard.
- Further information regarding each sport is available on the website (see link above)
For assistance with registering your child please see the document below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFW57cps5mTHPK7PfJMvpVK4qtM651keNVZcu014gVQ/edit
If there are any further issues please contact me:
powers01@dow.catholic.edu.au
NSWCCC 2025 Individual Triathlon
Entries are now open for the 2025 NSW All Schools Triathlon for 26 February at Penrith. Individual entries are through the Sports Unit DASH system (not the CSNSW Sport portal). Entry is $60 per participant.
NSWCCC Tennis Selections - close date 21 February 2025 - Selection date - Monday, 3 March at North Parramatta Tennis Courts - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/tennis
NSWCCC Golf Selections - close date 21 February 2025 - Selection date Monday, 3 March at Tuncurry Golf Club - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/golf
NSWCCC Baseball Selections - close date 22 February 2025 TBC - Selection date - 5 March at Castle Glen 1 & 2, Castle Hill - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/baseball
Sporting Achievements
Tristan Denmeade
Congratulations to Tristan who represented the Greater Illawarra over summer in Albury. His cricket team took the win in the Bradman Cup.
Deakin Cook & Isabella
Last weekend, Isabella Clowes and Deakin Cook competed in the Little Athletics Regional Championships in Griffith. It was a long weekend and they had all sorts of weather from extreme heat to thunderstorms, but managed to come home with great results.
Deakin competed in 5 events and came 3rd in the 400m, 4th in high jump, 4th in 800m, 6th in 200m, and 4th in the 4x100m relay. Deakin is waiting selection for the State Team.
Isabella also competed in 5 events and came 1st in Javelin, 1st in shot put, 1st in long jump, 2nd in triple jump, and 3rd in high jump. She will be attending state for the 5th year in a row.
Congratulations to you both on your fantastic results.
Solomon Liu & Jake Burling
Congratulations to both Solomon (Year 10) & Jake Burling (Year 9) for their selection in the NSW Waratahs Team. Both boys competed in the Australian Country Junior Basketball Championships over summer.
Solomon has been selected in the U18 Country Men's State team which will participate in the U18 Australian National Championships to be held in Brisbane in April. We wish Sol the best of luck in this Championship.
Hayley Frendo
Congratulations to Hayley who has been selected Captain of the U15 Girls Flame Squad. This is her second year in a row being named captain and shows the quality leadership skills this young athlete has. Well done Hayley.
Isaac Stoneham
Congratulations to Isaac and his team on taking out the U13s IFA Cup over Summer.
External Opportunity: Female Athlete High Performance Program
UOW has recently been developing a Female Athlete High-Performance Program and conducted a pilot for female athletes in the Illawarra region about 4 months ago. This program aims to support female athletes by providing a holistic approach that supplements their current training and playing environments. The program is set to start on April 28th, 2025.
FYI – female footballers who are selected will be given a full scholarship by the Wollongong Wolves.
The program takes a holistic approach to athlete development and includes modules in the following key areas:
- Mental Skills and Performance Psychology
- Sports Nutrition
- Female Health Education
- Strength & Conditioning
- Pathway Support
This program is designed for female athletes across all sports and there are a limited number of spots available left in the program.
Below is a link to the website where you can access all the information attached to this email.
https://uniactive.uow.edu.au/health-fitness/uow-sport/female-athlete-high-performance-program/
You can access the EOI form from the website - athletes will need to submit a EOI from and I will get in contact with them.
EOI Form - https://forms.office.com/r/NxdrQPxuB9
