Secondary Sport
redlands Rhino – Weekly Fixtures
Please note: Redlands Rhino has the most up-to-date weekly fixtures. This is uploaded every Tuesday afternoon at 4.00pm. Please ensure you check this with regards to game times, venues and oppositions.
Head of Secondary Sport
Our National Pastime
Swimming is synonymous with Australian culture as much as a Vegemite sandwich or the sails of the Sydney Opera House. From as young as we can remember we are thrown in a highly chlorinated pool and taught to swim, for both recreation but also for survival. When living in a country literally “girt by sea”, swimming is as much a matter of life or death as it is a weekend activity to cool off from the summer sun. Have we taken for granted the fun and freedom we have to swim in one of the many pools or beaches in our country?
Over the years, swimming has become a national sporting pastime. From school swimming carnivals right through to the Olympic teams, we have celebrated our joy of punching above our weight in the sport. From gold medals to gold stars, swimming is celebrated as a rite of passage for all to take part in. In 2018, swimming held the number one spot as the most participated recreational sport in Australia and the only recreational sport where women participated more than men (www.roymorgan.com.au). However, somewhere along the way we may have forgotten that swimming is less about times and medals and more about throwing on a pair of swimmers and having a go with your mates. Competitive swimming (rightly or wrongly) has taken on an element of exclusivity for the many clubs and athletes who are dedicated to extremely high volumes of training in order to achieve world standard times. At a school level it is important we clarify our rationale for swimming carnivals. We need to shift the balance from high end competition, and the training which accompanies it, to re-invent the sport as a life-skill and fitness activity for all Australians to enjoy. Our school carnival, which is to be held next Thursday 20 February, will aim to achieve this. Students are encouraged to don some school swimmers and have a go. Whilst our students who train for the sport at a high level will still have the ability to shine, we also encourage every student to embrace their House spirit, step out of their comfort zone and enjoy the thrill of having a swim against your mates. It is a unique event for which a majority of our students will only experience within the safety of a school carnival.
Pierre De Coubertin was a French educator, historian and the founder of the International Olympic Committee. He is regarded as the father of the modern Olympics, which coincidentally is our highest level of competition. He was famously quoted in a book about the evolution of France with the following statement outlining the meaning of the Olympic Games and, more broadly, sport in society:
The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. To spread these principles is to build up a strong and more valiant and, above all, more scrupulous and more generous humanity. P.D. Coubertin, 1897. Evolution of France Under The Third Republic. T.Y. Crowell
I encourage all of our parents and carers to discuss with their sons or daughters about what they will commit to at the swimming carnival. No matter how big or small, every student can take part, that is the most important thing in life.
Reference: http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/7498-sports-participation-australia-december-2017-201802150615
Winter Sport 2020 Registration
The registration link for the Winter Sport 2020 will be sent to students on Monday 17 February. Please note students who have completed a Non-Rep Sport for the Summer 2019/2020, season must complete a Representative Sport for Winter 2020.
Basketball
A great start to the day on Saturday for the 13A Boys with a big win to continue their undefeated streak. The 14A Boys had a great game in a mere 7 point loss against the top of the table SACS team. The 15A Boys also continued their undefeated streak with a 7 point win. The 17As had a 18-27 loss but showed some great signs and are looking to find their form in the next two games leading up to the finals. The 1sts Boys was a very close contest, finishing with a two point win to see Redlands 1sts at the top of the table. The B Boys teams played against St Pius. It was a very close match up for the 13B boys, the game ending 33-32 in Redlands favour. The 14Bs had a very close 3 point loss against St Pius, while the 15B boys had a solid 10 point win. The 17B and 2nds Boys also had great wins, leaving both teams in a promising position as we near the Semi Finals. Our C Boys were all at home against Oakhill and there were some great results across the board. The 15C Boys are still undefeated. The 3rds also had a dominant win. The 13C and 17Cs both fought hard, but couldn’t get over the line. The 17Ds played against the Redlands 4ths ending with a 32-18 win to the 4ths. The 13D and 13Es both had narrow losses. The 15Ds hold their top spot on the ladder after another great win at St Patrick’s, with the entire 15s age group proving to be a very strong Basketball cohort.
In the Girls competition, the Junior A, Inter A and 1sts games were cancelled due to flooding. The 2nds had a very close game against St Spyridon 1sts in a very narrow 4 point loss. The Inter B and Junior Bs travelled to the Blue Mountains, where the Inter Bs had a close 5 point loss and the Junior Bs had a 10 point loss to the top of the table team and the Junior C team played Barker in a friendly match.
Best of luck to all teams this Saturday. A reminder to all players and parents to check the Redlands Rhino each week for any changes to the fixtures.
To view your current standings, please visit the ISA website. The Semi Finals will be held at Penrith on Saturday 29 February and the Finals on Saturday 7 March.
The skills sessions have all recommenced this week. Please check the training schedule on Redlands Pulse for further details.
Please save the date for the End of Season Basketball Presentation. The presentation will be held on Saturday 21 March. More information on the event will be provided shortly, please view the invitation on Redlands Pulse.
Fitness Centre
Please be aware that the Redlands Fitness Centre is available to all students currently in a Representative Sport and there are sessions across all mornings Monday-Friday 6.25-7.45am with additional afternoon sessions on both Monday and Friday.
I would recommend that all students looking ahead to their Winter Sport seasons look to use these sessions as a way to prepare physically. Sports such as Football, Rugby, Hockey and Tennis all require a level of strength and flexibility all of which can be achieved by using the Redlands Fitness Centre.
With preseason for all Winter Rep Sports just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get ahead with one – three sessions each week. There will again be High Performance Testing done across the next two weeks so all students are encouraged to attend. Please speak to Mr Gooding directly or email if you would like to speak about individualised programs and or the High Performance Program.
Rowing
Over the weekend our Senior and Yr 9 squads attended the NSW State Championships held at Penrith. While the weather might not have been kind to us, our students and coaches were resilient and performed above and beyond expectations.
Redlands started racing on Saturday afternoon with both the boys and girls current Yr 9 1st crews being split into Under 16 Double Sculls. The combination of Finn Woodward (Yr 9) and Patrick Walker (Yr 9) raced well to progress through to the Final, where they outperformed local rivals from Mosman and St Augustine’s to win Silver.
Next up was our Senior Girls crews, with Redlands having five crews in the School Girl Coxed Quad out of a field of 30 boats from across Australia. Both of our 1sts and 2nds crews progressed through to the Semi Finals, with the 2nds crew being the only non 1sts boat from a program in their final. Our 1sts crew of Elizabeth Holtheuer (Yr 10), Emily Batemyr (Yr 11), Maddie Howard (Yr 12), Emily Barrell (Yr 11) and the cox Tash Richardson (Yr 12) comfortably progressed into the Final where against some strong competition they finished 4th. This was the strongest field the girls have faced all season and will no doubt give them valuable experience to build upon as they set their sights on regattas such as ACT Head of the Lake and Nationals where they will race many of the same crews.
The Senior Boys crews also raced crews from across Australia in what is both the biggest and highest quality field faced to date. Our 1sts crew of Alex Holtheuer (Yr 11), Max Durrant (Yr 12), Nick Wilkes (Yr 12), Mitch Simpson (Yr 12) and the cox Alex Coney (Yr 12) progressed comfortably through the heats and into the Finals. Starting well, and leading for the first 1000m, the boys managed to move away from all but one crew from Newington College. Our boys were not quite able to hold on to their lead in the second half of the race but still had one of their better races to date by winning silver.
On the Sunday our Yr 9 students raced in the Under 16 Coxed Quad, with both of the Boys and Girls 1sts crews progressing through to Finals. In the School Boy and School Girl scull for our senior students, Maddie Howard (Yr 12) and Emily Batemyr (Yr 11), progressed into the Semi Finals while Alex Holtheuer (Yr 11) won his heat to progress directly into the final. The Under 17 Coxed Quad Sculls were next on the starting line however the wind picked up to such extent that the regatta was called off before they had a chance to race. With crews already at the starting line, boats were quickly pulled up onto the back for rowers and coxes seek shelter. Despite this, it was a proud moment to see how well our students handled the conditions, their enthusiasm and attitude was infectious with plenty of smiles all around.
Thank you to the students and families alike that pitched in to pack up at the end of the regatta in the wind, rain and ankle-deep mud. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are more than apricated as everyone was keen to head home.
The next Friends of Rowing meeting will be held from 6.00-7.00pm in Room H2.6 on Monday 24 February, all parents are welcome.
Swimming
The Secondary School Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 20 February at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. More information regarding the Carnival will be posted on Redlands Pulse.
Any student wishing to register for the 200m Individual Medley will need to email Mr Ellis. The bus for this event will depart from Murdoch Street (Junior Campus) at 7.00am (please arrive by 6.45am).
Important Reminder – In light of the forthcoming Swimming Carnival, please note that ALL students with Medical Alerts in the Secondary School including, but not limited to, those with Anaphylaxis, Asthma and Diabetes are required, without exception, to bring with them their necessary emergency medications on all external school events and excursions.
Swimming sessions are being held on Friday afternoons from 3.30-5.00pm at the North Sydney Olympic Pool. If you are interested in attending these sessions please email Mr Ellis.
Tennis
Unfortunately, the start of the Term 1 Summer Tennis competition was washed out with the wild weather over the weekend. Hopefully matches will go ahead as planned this week.
On Tuesday, Aymon Holth, Sebastian Dobson, James Robinson and Stella Simpson-Morgan travelled to Barker College to trial for a position in the ISA Boys and Girls Representative Tennis teams. All students fought hard in all of their matches, with the quality of tennis being played fantastic to watch. Sebastian was successful in making the ISA Boys team and Stella was successful in making the ISA Girls team as the reserve. Both students will represent ISA at the NSWCIS trials next week, a fantastic achievement. James narrowly missed out on making the ISA Boys team. All students are to be congratulated for their attitude and effort on the day.
Touch Football
Unfortunately, the Gala Day that was scheduled for last Saturday was washed out and has now been moved to Saturday 22 February. The schedule can be found on Redlands Pulse with the draw being updated to show the games for that weekend (teams may be playing more than one game).
This Saturday will see all teams playing at Macquarie University. All game times and fields can be found on the Redland Rhino. Please note, any last minute changes will be communicated as soon as possible.
To view your current standings, please visit the ISA website. The Semi Finals and Finals will be held at St Paul’s Grammar School on Saturday 29 February, timings are available on Redlands Pulse.
The Touch Football Presentation afternoon will be held on Thursday 5 March at Gore Hill Oval (this will take place during school Sport time). Students will be charged $15 for the event (pizza and drinks will be provided. If any students have food allergies please email Mr Ellis.
“Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.” Tim Notke
Mr Tom Kindred
Head of Secondary School Sport
sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au
All Sports contacts can be found on Redlands Pulse.