At the Sports Assembly in 2024 we launched the theme for 2025 of Faster, Higher, Stronger, Together. This motto has been our drive for St Joseph’s sporting teams this year and we are seeing some fantastic results coming through. 

The drive for excellence goes beyond the sporting field. Sport teaches us so many lessons including resilience, mateship, patience, discipline, leadership and teamwork. These are all things students take with them into everyday life outside of the sporting world. 

At the start of this year, I tasked the students and coaches this year to strive for one place further than they got last year in the 2024 season. For some teams this meant placing 7th rather than 8th whilst others have been trying to take the top podium spots. 

The past few weeks and the next few weeks are big on the sporting calendar. I am so proud of each student's dedication to their training and how they are showing up for each other as a team. This is the culture we are trying to build in sport. In the end results don’t truly matter, but the lesson of discipline and showing up for your team and coach is one that is truly important at Joey’s. It is about creating a respectful environment where each athlete is helping their team be 1% better. Through showing up to training, being there for your team and working hard/having discipline, that is when results will naturally come. I would like to say a massive thank you to all the coaches who have been giving up huge amounts of their time to prepare our teams for all our competitions. I would like to congratulate them and their teams on the success they are bringing into St Joseph’s.

I would like to wish our Hockey teams the best of luck as they head to the Diocesan Championships next week and then head out to Bathurst to compete at the NSWCCC Championships. 

Brief overview of recent results:

• 2nd Place NSWCCC Diocesan 9-10 Boys Basketball Qualifier 
• 1st Place Open Boys Diocesan Netball (NSWCCC next term)
• 1st place U16s Girls Illawarra Sam Bremner Shield Champions (Qualified for Wagga Wagga next term)
• 1st Place 7-8 Boys Netball NSW Schools Cup Qualifier (finals later this year)
• 1st Place 9-10 Boys Netball NSW Schools Cup Qualifier (finals later this year)
• Plenty of individuals representing at high levels (Please see below)

Congratulations again to all involved! Please continue reading on for reports & MVP’s of our teams recently.

9-10 Boys NSWCCC Basketball Qaulifier

Congratulations to our year 9 & 10 boys basketball team who made the final of the Dio Boys Knockout Competition. The winning team, John Therry, go on to the NSW CCC Basketball Championship.

The boys needed to win a playoff game against Nowra to enter the knockout main draw. They started this game on fire, keeping Nowra scoreless for most of the first half. With a bit of complacency on our behalf, Nowra almost clawed their way back into the game. We held on for a solid win 53 - 42.

Our next game was against Edmund Rice, a quality team. Edmund Rice started strong holding a small lead for most of the first half. We started to gel as a team with all players stepping up, defending well and scoring some great team baskets. Eventually Joey’s hit the lead with only a few minutes to go. Winning the game in a nail biter by only 3 points. A great win against a really strong team.

This put us into the final against John Therry. The game started at a frantic pace with both teams playing outstanding basketball. Unfortunately we were not able to match the talent of JT, eventually going down 68 to 51. A great effort, considering they play together every week in their school competition. We gave them a scare, being only a few points behind for most of the game.

Congratulations boys, this has been two years in the making. Your hard work is starting to pay off. Let's see how we go next year and in the upcoming Gala days.

Diocesan Netball Championships

7-8 Girls Division 1

On Friday the girls played in the DIO Netball Championships at Berkeley. Even though the weather was not the greatest with it being cold, rainy and miserable, the girls were exceptional and they all gave it their best !!

Even though the girls only came away with 1 win and 1 draw for the day, they all played as a team and were so supportive of each other. The teams were rough, but they all held strong till the final game. The girls should be all so proud of their efforts and sportsmanship they showed throughout the day.

Well done girls.

MVP- Ella Whittle

7-8 Girls Division 2

The Junior Girls Netball team displayed an outstanding performance last week, not only in their skills on the court but also in their exceptional sportsmanship. Facing off against opposing schools, our girls showed determination, teamwork and a positive attitude from start to finish. Well done girls!

Mrs Robinson

MVP: Kaylee Marsh

9-10 Girls Netball

The girls had a really strong showing, all demonstrating great skill on the court, their communication and sportsmanship really shone. They played some great battles and had some really good wins. Thank you To Ms Madaschi who came along on the day and coached the team

MVP: Cadence Hardy

Open Boy's Netball - Diocesan Champions!

The St Joseph's Open Boy's Netball team led the way at the Dicoesan Netball Carnival last week. They played with great skill and enthusiasm.

The boys played 8 games across the day and went undefeated. They demonstrated excellent sportsmanship across the day earning a lot of praise for their gameplay from other teams. Thomas Hofman, Nash Burling and Archie Faulks were encouraged to trial for the NSW Under 17 Men's team for 2026. Their results for the day were convincing:

• They beat Corpus 12-9
• They beat Edmund Rice 15-1
• They beat Mt Carmel 10-7
• They beat John Therry 8-3
• They beat Magdalene 12-5
• They beat St John's 12-4
• They beat St Benedicts 9-7
• They beat Holy Spirit 13-7

MVP: Thomas Hofman

Open Girls Netball

The Open Girls Netball Team demonstrated some excellent skills and sportsmanship over the 8 games played at the carnival. They played fair, fast and skillful netball and should be congratulated on their achievement at the carnival. They came away with some great wins, some close losses and overall had a fantastic turnout. Thank you to the year 12 members of the team who played their last Netball carnival for the St Joseph's team, they have been great role models over the past 6 years and have elevated the school's game to a new level. Thank you to Taylor Darke who managed the team on the day.

MVP: Kiana Rieck

Illawarra Sam Bremner Shield - Girls Rugby League

U16s Girls Rugby League

The U16 Girls Rugby League team showcased incredible determination and teamwork at the recent Rugby League Tournament held at Croome Road Sporting Complex. Facing strong competition throughout the day, the girls rose to the occasion and delivered an impressive series of performances.

In the pool matches, the team took on St Mary’s and Bulli High School. Against St Mary’s, the girls showed grit in defense and creativity in attack, matching their opponents every step of the way Winning 24-14. In the clash with Bulli, the team found their rhythm, with strong carries through the middle and well-executed set plays out wide that led to a convincing win final score 26-12 ensuring first place in our Pool.

These strong performances saw the girls qualify for the semi-final against Warilla High School. In a tough, physical re-match, the team stayed composed under pressure, defended their line with heart, and capitalised on their chances in attack to secure a well-earned victory and a spot in the final.

In the final, they faced a determined St Mary’s side for a re-match. The girls gave everything in an intense and hard-fought battle, showing tremendous spirit and sportsmanship. Resulting in a win 18-16, what a courageous performance and a brilliant day of football.

Congratulations to all players for their effort, teamwork, and pride in representing St Joseph’s Catholic High school.

The under 16 Girls team are now Champion school and have earnt a place in the school championship to be held at Wagga Wagga in July.

Stand out players were Emma-Lee Sutton powerhouse forward, Lani Graham elusive out wide and Emily Hollingworth who led us around the field and was named MVP for the tournament

Happy Hetho

Coach

U14 Girls Rugby League

The U14 Girls Rugby League team put in a determined and spirited performance in their matches against St Mary’s and Bulli High Schools at the NRL tournament held at Croome road Sporting Complex on Tuesday 17 June.

In the opening game against St Mary’s, the girls showed excellent Spirit and resilience. Despite facing a strong opposition, our team held their own, with some impressive runs that pushed us into attacking territory. Although the result didn’t go our way, the team showed growth and commitment right until the final whistle.

In our second game against Bulli High School, the girls lifted their intensity and worked well as a team. Strong ball carries from the forwards laid a solid platform, while the backs took advantage of space out wide. A highlight was the team working together, since several players were new to the game and it was a sharp learning curve. The defensive effort remained strong throughout, with several try-saving tackles showcasing the team’s courage and determination.

Overall, the girls should be proud of their effort, sportsmanship, and ongoing development. They continue to improve with each game and represent the school with pride.

A proud Coach

Mr. Hetherington

Trivia Night!

2025 SJCHS TRIVIA FUNDRAISER -  REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

Come join our 2025 St Joseph’s Catholic High School Trivia night that is fundraising for our school representative sport teams for 2026. All funds raised will go towards new team uniforms, updated sporting equipment and assisting with transport costs.

The theme for the night is ‘Countries of the World’, so come dressed in your best costume attire.

Tickets are $80 per table with 8-10 people. BYO snacks, drinks and table decorations.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an adults only event with no students able to attend.

We will have a raffle available on the night and prizes to be won for best dressed, winning tables as well as other competitions on the night.

There will be plenty of games on the night to buy in on, so please bring some cash to join in on these games and there will be prizes for best dressed and winning tables.

Donations: If you or someone you know is able to donate to this year's Trivia, please get in contact with Miss Power (powers01@dow.catholic.edu.au). Thank you for your support.

NSWCCC Cross Country Results

Congratulations to Ashton Byrne, Rylan Kearnes and Bianca de Swardt who competed at the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships last week. Bianca finished 3rd place and will now move on to compete as part of the NSWCCC team at All Schools next term.