From the Director of Co-curricular, Mr Steve O’Donnell

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Strong Start to the Year

We had a great start to the Term 1 co-curricular activities last weekend and this week. Our Year 7 trials were of a high standard and we were also well represented in Water Polo and in the Basketball Blitz fixtures. This week is our first full round of all activities against Barker.

All students need to ensure they are correctly attired for weekend fixtures and that they are at their games 30 minutes prior as a minimum. For those away fixtures please ensure you allow enough time for busy Sydney traffic on the weekend.

Our 1st XI also played in the CAS T20 South Harbour fixtures last weekend, and played some very exciting Cricket to make the final next Wednesday afternoon, also against Barker. In Waverley’s first fixture they defeated CAS Cricket powerhouses Cranbrook 5/133 – 9/129 and then defeated Trinity 7/123 – 6/96. It would be great to get as many supporters as we can around these boys next Wednesday afternoon.

Just a reminder that next week is the final opportunity to request a change in winter activities for all students. Also, if any student is requesting leave from weekend commitments, this request needs to be emailed to myself and not done via the absence app please. We already have had a number of requests for State Oztag and various surf lifesaving carnivals this Term.

I also want to send best wishes to all of the staff and Year 7 students attending the first camp for the year next week, and I am sure you will have a great time.

Good luck to all activities this weekend.

 

Mr Steve O’Donnell

Director of Co-curricular

sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au

 

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Captain of Basketball Report

First Five Games of 2023

The first five games on CAS Basketball in 2023 showcased a strong performance by Waverley Basketball. Out of the 178 games played, Waverley emerged victorious in 100 of them, highlighting an overall successful start to the season.

Impressively, Waverley had four teams go undefeated through the first five games. The 4ths, 10As, 10Bs and 8Fs demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, securing wins in all of their respective games. These undefeated streaks not only contributed to the overall success of Waverley Basketball but also reflected the dedication and talent of these specific teams.

We also had another five teams with a 4-1 record. The 2nds, 3rds, 5ths, 10Es and 8Es. All these teams will be competing to win the CAS in their respective competitions, so we wish them good luck.

Holiday Tournaments

Throughout the holidays, Waverley hosted several camps and participated in three tournaments. Waverley’s 10As came 3rd overall in their tournament at Shore, beating Barker to claim 3rd place. 

For the 2nds, they played in the Newington Classic. The 2nds were reigning champions, having won the tournament last season, and were hoping to defend their title. The 2nds started strong by defeating a tough Newington team in their first game, then followed it up by beating King’s in another physical game. In the 3rd game, Waverley unfortunately lost to Knox, but followed it up by defeating Reddam to come 3rd.

Trinity, Newington, St Augustine’s and King’s Opponents

The Waverley 1sts played in the Trinity Challenge coming up against Sydney Grammar in their first game. Waverley came out the gate with great intensity and was playing hard every possession and kept this momentum going through the whole game, ending the game winning by 30 points. In the 1st second game, they faced a talented Newington team who eventually ended up winning the tournament. The game started with both teams playing physically, though Newington was able to take a 10-point lead and keep it for most of the game, eventually winning the game by 15.

Waverley’s final game of the day was against another tough opponent in St Augustine’s, who started the game playing well. As the game continued, Waverley was able to shrink their lead to get it within 10 points, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. 

In the final game, Waverley played King’s and got out to a 17-point lead early in the game, but wasn’t able to hold onto this lead and King’s was able to come away with the one-point win. 

Annual CAS Blitz Day

Last weekend the 7As, 8As, 9As, 10As and 2nds took part in the annual CAS Blitz Day, where schools play against every other CAS school team in a shortened game format. This provides a good chance for the teams to gain an understanding of how their opponents like to play and what their tendencies are like, which can help them and their players scout the opposing teams for when they play each other later in the season.

Barker Fixtures Ahead

We now look ahead to this coming week and the resumption of the regular CAS Basketball season, with a very tough round of fixtures against Barker.

Last round against Barker, Waverley was successful in winning 24 of the 35 games played against Barker. The 1sts hope to turn things around in the second half of the season, improve their 2-3 record, and enact revenge against Barker after losing by 26 points last time. 

For the 2nds however, they hope to continue their four-game win streak as they sit at 4-1 and are in contention to win the CAS. They are also looking to get revenge on Barker, as Barker handed them their only loss of the season so far.

We wish the best of luck to all teams competing this week and especially to all the new Year 7s who are playing their first-ever games for Waverley

Excellence Rewarded

We wish James Dyson-Merwe, 1st V player and captain, congratulations on his incredible achievement of securing a scholarship and earning a spot at the Basketball Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra! James will be playing and training with some of the best players and coaches in Australia whilst continuing his schooling in Canberra. James’ hard work, dedication, and undeniable talent have truly paid off, opening doors to exciting opportunities in his basketball journey.

His presence at the Centre of Excellence is well deserved and reflects the hard work he has put in, on and off the court. As he moves on to the next chapter in his basketball life, we hope he continues to hone his skills and embraces every opportunity and experience that comes his way. His success has certainly been an inspiration to us all, and we do not doubt that he will continue to achieve great things! We wish James continued success, joy, and fulfilment in his future basketball endeavours.

 

Sergej Jakovljevic

Captain of 1st V

 

Mr Anthony Gibbs

Convenor of Basketball

agibbs@waverley.nsw.edu.au