Sydney Catholic Schools conference four has launched a two-part primary interschool sports program to increase partiticaption and healthy competition.
Conference 4 sports coordinator Peta Haynes said that primary interschool sport focuses on “purposeful learning”, where “students learn the sports of volleyball and tchoukball in their PE lessons at school, then implement that in a practical way in a friendly environment against other schools.”
Participation and school representation are important aspects of school sport, and non competitive play allows the students to facilitate games themselves, adding a layer of responsibility.
The second component is aimed at those who are competitive and comes in the form of a knockout competition.
With each school having selected a boys’ and girls’ netball and football team, they play against each other for the chance to go on to represent not only their school, but their conference at the upcoming SCS winter championships.
Round one of competitive play concluded with St Joseph’s Moorebank hosting the games against St Christopher’s Holsworthy.
Both principals commented that the students in the teams were “buzzing” from the moment they arrived at school on the sunny morning of 9 March, up until they finally stepped onto their respective courts and fields.
“Since the time that I’ve been at Holsworthy, parents have always said to me that they really want more opportunities for sport, so this has come at a perfect time,” said Holsowrthy Principal, Mrs Linda O’Regan.
“tHIS EVENT FOR SOCCER AND NETBALL WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY for those students who are skilled in these fields to represent their school, rather than a sporting club”.
The Moorebank netball teams defeated both Holsworthy’s girls and boys teams. And when the final whistle blew on the synthetic soccer field, Moorebank girls were victorious 3-2, and Moorebank boys 4-3 against Holsworthy.
St Joseph’s principal Christine Bitar-Claxon said there was a great deal of interest at her school for this component and a “rigorous and fair selection process was put in place to select the teams.”
“This event for soccer and netball was a great opportunity for those students who are skilled in these fields to represent their school rather than a sporting club.
“It is hoped that through participation in this interschool competition, the students across the conference and across the schools will be proud to represent their schools and participate to the best of their ability, but most importantly, have fun.”