There was a very short lead into the winter sports season with the early Easter break this year.

Despite this, coaches did an amazing job selecting sides for the round one fixture against Trinity. Our Middle School teams performed very well, which would have had us well ahead in the annual CBC Perth Cup race. However, during this Friday afternoon fixture word spread that there would be a potential 3-day lockdown due to a Covid-19 outbreak in Perth. This proved to be correct and combined with the ANZAC Day public holiday and a scheduled staff meeting during our bye week, sport preparations were significantly impacted.

Since this disruption, our middle school boys have had some wonderful PSA sports experiences. The fixture against Scotch College saw us secure a point in the Headmasters’ Cup with some very good results across all sports and grades. In recent weeks the College has achieved similar results, with the win/loss record across both fixtures against Christ Church and Wesley resulting in more wins than losses for Aquinas teams.

Whilst wins are preferred over losses, our focus this year has been based around character and being good people first, good sportsmen second. This was personified in an email the College received from an opposition school which reads below:

We have a struggling team for 7 B soccer's and after going down 6 -0 in the first 15 mins I spoke to the coach from Aquinas. He kindly arranged to mix the teams and play a friendly game. Both the coach and Year 11 soccer referee were friendly, polite and helped make the game a fun experience. The Wesley boys loved the experience. So thanks and please pass on this message

The above message gives a great perspective on what lies at the heart of PSA sport. Our competition provides weekly opportunities for teams to compete in hard and earnest contests, but ultimately good sense prevails, and when circumstances arise like this, our schools work together to ensure all boys get a positive experience.

The remainder of the term will see a fixture against Guildford prior to the long weekend, followed by return fixtures against Trinity and Scotch.

Good luck to all teams.

There was a very short lead into the winter sports season with the early Easter break this year. Despite this, coaches did an amazing job selecting sides for the round one fixture against Trinity.

However, during Friday afternoon before the fixture, word spread that there would be a potential 3-day lockdown due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Perth. For our 1st teams, the postponed games against Trinity will be played on Thursday, July 1. This proved to be correct and combined with the ANZAC Day public holiday and a scheduled staff meeting during our bye week, sport preparations were significantly impacted.

Since this disruption, our Senior School boys have had some wonderful PSA sports experiences. The fixture against Scotch College saw us secure a point in the Headmasters’ Cup with some very good results across all sports and grades. In recent weeks the College has achieved similar results, with the win/loss record across both fixtures against Christ Church and Wesley resulting in more wins than losses for Aquinas teams.

Whilst wins are preferred over losses, our focus this year has been based around character and being good people first, good sportsmen second. This was personified in an email the College received from an opposition school which reads below:

We have a struggling team for 7B Soccer and after going down 6 -0 in the first 15 mins I spoke to the coach from Aquinas. He kindly arranged to mix the teams and play a friendly game. Both the coach and Year 11 Soccer referee were friendly, polite and helped make the game a fun experience. The Wesley boys loved the experience. So thanks and please pass on this message.

The above message gives a great perspective on what lies at the heart of PSA sport. Our competition provides weekly opportunities for teams to compete in hard and earnest contests, but ultimately good sense prevails, and when circumstances arise like this, our schools work together to ensure all boys get a positive experience.

At the 1st team level, our teams have had mixed results. The cross country team has started this season like last year’s undefeated season, with victories over Scotch, CCGS and Wesley. The addition of some runners who were identified at the house cross country event has added to our depth, and the boys are now looking to try and emulate last year’s victory, but a lot of hard work lies ahead.

The 1st XI Soccer team have had a great start to season 2021, and like the Cross Country team, have won all games against Scotch, CCGS and Wesley. A number of boys in the team this year were part of last year’s team that finished runners-up, and as a squad are working hard to try and go one better this year.

Also trying to go one better than last year’s runner-up season is the 1st XVIII Football team. Unfortunately, like last year, the team gave up a winning position to Scotch in round 1, but have recovered with strong wins over CCGS and Wesley in recent weeks, covering the loss of key players to State commitments along the way. In what seems a very even competition this year, the next few weeks will determine our season.

The 1st XV Rugby team came very close to causing one of the upsets of the year against Scotch. The team closed the score to 10-12 during the second half but unfortunately could not get the break they needed to hit the lead despite some great attempts. Likewise, a 26-24 loss against CCGS was a case of what might have been with some late opportunities not being able to be capitalised on. However, a strong victory over Wesley sees the team still in contention in a very even competition.

Despite some periods of good play in the opening rounds, the 1st Badminton and Hockey teams have suffered losses. Pleasingly, the attitude and approach of both teams have not wavered, and future success looks imminent. The remainder of the term will see a fixture against Guildford prior to the long weekend, followed by return fixtures against Trinity and Scotch, with 1st teams also playing Trinity on the last Thursday of the term.

Good luck to all teams.

• David Gault, Head of Sport