FROM JOHN MCCOY, CONVENOR OF RUGBY
Welcome back to a big term of rugby at Waverley College! I hope all students and families had a restful holiday break and are looking forward to getting into the continued preparations for the CAS Competition which commences late in Term 2. Prior to the CAS, we have a number of challenging rounds against some strong GPS and ISA sides.
GPS Trial Round Vs St Ignatius College, Riverview
This weekend Waverley College faces up against St Ignatius College, Riverview. This is sure to be a very competitive fixture for all teams as Riverview has strong depth through each age group. Our 1st XV will have their first home game for the year at Queens Park, as will all Opens, 16s and 13s teams. Our 14s and 15s will head over to Riverview for the day. Please note that the fixtures (particular for the 15s age group) has been changed on several occasions this week. The most up to date draw has been posted on the Waverley Rugby Team App.
To make the community aware, Waverley College will meet the same opposition each week as Sydney Boys High School (SBHS) during the CAS/GPS/ISA trial fixtures. This ensures that when playing against some of the larger GPS schools, teams match up evenly and are graded appropriately. This weekend, for example, our 1st XV and 2nd XV will match up against Riverview. SBHS 1st XV will play against Riverview’s 3rds XV (at SBHS’s home ground). Our 3rd XV will play against Riverview’s 4th XV and the match ups continue down the grades. This applies to most age groups with some slight variations. The positive of this system is that it allows students at schools with smaller playing numbers to still be involved in competition rugby. It allows a school like ours, who might not be able to match up in all grades against some GPS schools, to have more appropriate contests in the lower grades.
Holiday News
In the holiday break Waverley College had a number of students and teams involved in friendly games and camps. Thank you to the parent body for all the support of these activities. I would particularly like to thank all the parents of students in the 14As and 15As who provided an outstanding after match function for our visitors. Our visitors were very appreciative of the delicious food offered, as was our Convenor. Thank you!
Our 14As played against Southern Districts coached by Old Boy Lachlan Drew-Morris. This was a tight match but Waverley came away with the win in the end, 32-19. Jack Rigg was voted as Man of the Match, and Lachlan Smith, who stepped up from the 14Bs played an outstanding game. Thanks to all the 14As and 14Bs players involved in this match, Mr Bryant & Mr Davis for their coaching efforts and Mr O’Donnell who refereed the fixture.
Our 15As played Canberra Grammar. Canberra Grammar has produced some great rugby minds over the years such as Rod Kafer and Andy Friend. In the driving rain, the Waverley side proved too strong winning 70-7. Christian Smirnotis was voted as Man of the Match. Thanks to all the 15As and 15Bs players involved in this match as well as Mr Donaldson and Mr Smith for their coaching efforts.
To end of the first week of holidays, our 1st XV, 2nd XV and 16A squad travelled to Narrabeen to participate in a three-day camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation. This was a time for the squad to come together for important preparations ahead of the season. The camp gave the squad a chance to bond together, reflect on the challenges which lay ahead and put in place some goals for the season. Thanks to Mr Coleman, Mr Cornish, Mr Newbury, Mr Horrocks and Mr O’Donnell who gave up their holidays to assist with the camp. Thanks also to the Sydney Rooster Coaching Staff, Mr James Cummins from the Positivity Project and Old Boy Mr Paddy Delohery who took the boys through a character building boot camp on Narrabeen Beach.
Waterford Rugby Tour – The Armidale School (TAS) Rugby Carnival
Our Waterford boys represented Waverley College at the TAS Rugby Carnival. This is the largest Under 12s rugby tournament held in Australia. Congratulations to all players involved, as well as the dedicated coaching staff including Ms Hoare, Mrs Ryan, Mr Proudfoot, Mr Ryan, Mr Stanton and Mr Harris. Special mention to Liam Andrews and Ryan Foley who gave up their holidays to help support the TAS Rugby Carnival by refereeing the junior matches. Thank you for your contribution.
The tournament was a tough encounter for the boys, but from all reports was a worthwhile exercise in terms of the friendships that were established (players and parents) as well as the lessons taken away from the rugby played. Well done players, coaches and parents!
Representative Honours
Congratulations to Old Boys Ben O’Donnell and Tom Fuller who have both reached the highest level in rugby, representing Australia. This is a wonderful achievement and both Old Boys will be honoured by having their photos placed in the T & M Hayes Pavilion at Queens Park.
Ben O’Donnell (Class of 2013) is involved in the Australian Sevens team, who unfortunately fell short of gaining a medal in the Commonwealth Games. O’Donnell, in his first season playing sevens has really made a mark on the competition. O’Donnell was awarded DHL Impact Player of the Round in the Sydney Sevens, Las Vegas Sevens and well as the recent Singapore Sevens. The DHL Impact Player Award recognises standout players by using a statistical analysis of individual player performances measured against Off-Loads, Carries, Line-Breaks and Tackles. A wonderful achievement and a player to follow!
Tom Fuller (Class of 2016) was called into the Australian 20s at the Oceania Championships. Fuller who currently plays for Randwick (1st Colts) in the centres, is another up and coming player to watch. The Junior Wallabies had a strong first up win against the Fijian U20s side 51-5 and a big win against Tonga, 91-7. The test will be this Saturday evening when Australia meet New Zealand. Congratulations Tom and good luck!
Queens Park Assistance – Online Roster
The Waverley College Rugby Supporters Club, thanks to the efforts of Mrs Deb Johnson, has set up an online roster for parents willing to assist at Queens Park throughout the season.
Parents and friends can simply go to the link below to register your interest:
We are looking for support on the BBQ and Canteen this coming Saturday 5 May, as we are expecting huge numbers at Queens Park. Also listed in the roster are the other games if any parents and friends may not be able to help this weekend, but can help in future.
Thanks in advance for all those who volunteer their support throughout the season and make all visitors to Queens Park feel so welcome.
May Procession
Finally, a reminder that the May Procession is on this Sunday 6 May. In recent years, a number of students have misplaced items of uniforms on Saturday prior to the May Procession. It is particularly important that all students double check that they have all their uniform packed away before leaving Queens Park or Riverview this weekend, as full school uniform is a requirement for the May Procession.
Good luck to all teams this weekend against Riverview! WAVERLEY TO WIN!
