Sport

We travelled to Toowoomba Grammar School for round four of GPS Cricket and Volleyball on the weekend. However, cricket matches were unfortunately impacted by rain.  Swimming raced in their second last meet at Chandler prior to the GPS Championship on Friday 1 March, with the final GPS team announcement next Monday.

For the results summary, visit myChurchie – GPS Sports and Activities.

Swimming

Both junior and senior squads ventured out to the Sleeman Sports Complex last Friday for the fourth GPS pre-meet. Performance is on track and committed training attendance has produced dividends in the pool.

Season personal best times brought smiles to faces of 16 years and under Henry Majer (50 m freestyle and 50 m breaststroke) and Jonathan Ling (shaved 0.39 seconds from his 50 m breaststroke time). Our Open boys had consistence performances, with Nicholas Moody producing another 37 second 50 m breaststroke time and Benji Forrest continuing his fight to go sub 30 seconds in his 50 m butterfly.

Ethan Richards, Oscar Sheahan, Hugh Baxby, William Shooter and Sebastian Behrens all reduced their 50 m freestyle time by between 0.02 to 0.75 seconds. The 15 years and under boys followed suit, with Jaden Soh improving his 50 m backstroke by 0.19 and 50 m Freestyle by 0.76, while Hayden Pollock had a dramatic reduction, shaving 0.83 seconds off his 50 m freestyle. Well done to all boys for their effort and focus on Friday night.

The highlight of the meet was witnessing our senior boys arriving early to the junior session and providing advice to calm nervous energy in the marshalling area. Senior boys also lined up at the end of the pool to congratulate junior boys as they exited their lanes after each race. Thank you Deigo, Henry, Nicholas, Spencer, Oliver, Benji and Will.

As the squad journeys closer to the big day, the programme will run through our last week of full programme training sessions in preparation for our final pre-meet this Friday. On Monday morning the programme announced its preliminary team lists for the GPS Championship; the finalised 2024 GPS team will be announced Monday 26 February at squad breakfast.

Churchie will host the last GPS pre-meet this Friday. We need a full contingency of boys to compete and this will be the final opportunity for boys to register a racing time for GPS Team considerations. Boys are reminded to register their attendance via the bus registration form as transport to the Sleeman Sports Complex is mandatory.

The 2024 Awards Presentation event invitation and online payment portal is available on myChurchie – Swimming. All Years 7 to 12 families are invited to attend and a list of awards and criteria presented on the night can be found on myChurchie; RSVP closes Friday 23 February.

Jaye Finocchiaro
Director of Swimming

Cricket

After Friday’s enormous rain event saw the cancellation of 18 fixtures, including all games at Churchie, it was exciting news to wake up to clear skies on Saturday, where nine teams journeyed up the range to take on Toowoomba Grammar School. This included the First XI and the A and B teams for Years 5, 7, 9 and 11.

We thank TGS, who fortunately avoided the majority of the heavy rain, for their hospitality and for having their fields ready to play, in what was a wonderful day of cricket played in fantastic spirits.

Results-wise, it was an excellent day for Churchie, winning seven of the nine matches, with the First XI, 9A and 7A teams all continuing their unbeaten seasons, with some cliffhanger results.

9A faced their first loss as a team since Year 7, having been bowled out for 98. However, with   spirit and determination, they bowled out TGS for 89. Captain Angus Peters produced an outstanding performance, scoring 38 and taking three wickets. Later that day, on the same field, 9B secured their first win of the season, led by an astonishing all-round display by Henry Cormack, who took the incredible figures of 6/8 and then top scored with 22*.

The First XI fixture on Barbour Oval was a thrilling match, going down to the final over for the second time in three matches. Churchie was sent into bat on an understandably tricky wicket and slow outfield given the Friday weather. The boys, however, fought extremely well to post a very strong 8/191. Opening batsman Angus Storen (52) led the way with a half-century, with excellent support from Tighe Morris (30), Alex Walduck (28*) and Connor Rudman (24).

In the run chase, TGS was persistent. Despite losing regular wickets, they built many solid partnerships and kept the score rate at the required level to take the game to the final over. Ultimately the continued impressive form with the ball of the left-arm spin duo Henry Hillier (4/29) and Rupert Bignall (2/29), along with some outstanding out-fielding, especially with some crucial catches taken by Zac Griggs, Storen and Walduck, saw Churchie hold on for a five-run win. The team remains undefeated in third place and, crucially, within catching distance of Ipswich Grammar School and The Southport School, the other two remaining undefeated teams.

Congratulations to all the players listed below, on their excellent individual performances on Saturday.

• Angus Storen 52 (First XI)
• Henry Hillier 4/29 (First XI)
• Archer Ryan 4/11 (11A)
• Angus Peters 38 & 3/8 (9A)
• Zac Moore 3/19 (9A)
• Henry Cormack 22* & 6/8 (9B)
• James Turley 41* (7A)
• Oliver Tsui 3/8 (7A)

This weekend sees Churchie take on BBC at home. It will be a fantastic game to come and support, with two strong title contenders in action.

James Patmore
Director of Cricket

Rowing

Churchie Rowing enjoyed a week off racing this week as the GPS regatta had a bye.

We took advantage to continue training from the Churchie boat club with great conditions for all age groups. This week the boys will enjoy a well-earned light training week, allowing them to prepare for the final push and peak at Head of the River.

Racing will return this week out at Wyaralong with finalized crews following our last 2k ergo trial.

Tyson Sholl
Director of Rowing

Volleyball

Round four of volleyball saw the seniors travel to Toowoomba  and some fixtures at home against BGS and GT in a split round. It was another exceptional day for Churchie Volleyball. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our diligent and dedicated coaching staff for preparing our boys for each game.

While round three’s home game crowd was momentous, it was pleasing to see an equally enthused, yet smaller group of supporters, in Toowoomba. Seven young men, led by Vinny Gutteridge, infusing the TGS stadium with the same energy, enthusiasm and vigour. The resounding Churchie roar resonated throughout the stadium, undoubtedly bolstering the First VI to triumph over a resilient and determined TGS team. Special thanks to Vincent Gutteridge, Charlie Bell, Benji Griffin, Finlay Ahern, Jeremy McLennan and Jacques Messenger for their vocally spectacular support.

Our Prep School teams all performed well. 5A applied consistent serving and return of serves, showcasing remarkable skill development with an increased number of two and three touch points. 5B displayed exceptional serving, notably from Eliott Batstone, Ari Matthews and Will Parry, exhibiting great teamwork and communication. 6A excelled in attack and defence and executed spikes effectively. And,6B demonstrated enhanced teamwork, calling for the ball and mastering three-touch points. All teams secured two nil wins.  Congratulations to all.

The next round against BBC promises to be a significant round for every team, with many teams closely matched in overall points. Several premierships will be decided this weekend. We wish all teams the best of luck as we anticipate another exciting weekend of competition.

A special congratulations to three of our program’s best performers, Luka Sazdov, Christian Hii and Frank Sharpe, who were honoured by Volleyball Queensland for their outstanding contributions in the previous season. Luka Sazdov was named the 2023 Junior Male Beach Player of the Year, coach and Old Boy, Christian Hii (2019) received the 2023 U23 Men’s Most Improved Player award and Frankie Sharpe was recognized as the 2023 U16 Boys Most Improved Player. Congratulations also to Daniel Godfrey who has been selected in the 12 to 15 Years Composite District team in preparation for the Met East trials later this term.

As a reminder, the End of Season Presentation is approaching, and early bird ticket prices are available for another week. Secure your tickets early to avoid missing out on this celebration.

Round eight will be the TSS round with no GPS games scheduled. This round will also be our team photography day, along with fixtures against Ambrose Tracey College, including some internal games.

Round nine will be a bye round with no games scheduled, coinciding with the End of Season Presentation.

Carrie Mill
Director of Volleyball

Sporting Achievements

Congratulations to Daniel Godfrey (Year 10) who was selected in the 12 to 15 Years Composite District Volleyball team competing later this month at Met East Trials in Brisbane.

Trent Goodrick
Head of Cocurricular