Despite the weeks of rain, soggy fields and dripping clothes and equipment, Ascham students have continued to shine in sport. It has been a huge week for participation, with some fantastic results.
Athletics
Last weekend three Senior students, Anna Colquhoun, Madeleine Gregg and Ruby Madden, competed in the NSW Junior Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. The girls competed so well out on the track, especially Madeleine (pictured) who won the U17 400m Hurdles championship—a wonderful result.
Rowing
Also last weekend, our rowers competed in the IGSA and PLC Regatta, and performed so well that we came 2nd in the IGSA point score. They endured saturating conditions yet brought home a raft of medals – Gold and Silver! Gold was won for the Year 8 Singles, Year 8 Doubles, Year 9 Doubles and Year 10 Doubles. Girls brought home Silver for the Year 8 Doubles, Year 10 Singles and Single Sculls. Congratulations to all our sailors, their coaches, and their supportive parents on this mammoth effort.
Sailing
Our sailors headed to Canberra to compete in the ACT Schools Team Racing Championships on the weekend. In the pouring rain and low wind, our two teams placed 2nd and 9th. This event was a fabulous bonding experience for all the girls and marks the beginning of the teams racing regatta season for 2022. As a Sailing team, they are very excited for the many regattas they have in the coming weeks against various competitive NSW schools.
Swimming and Diving
Our Junior School students participated in the IPSHA Swimming and Diving Championships on Wednesday and put in a great effort against some tough competition. It was fantastic to see our girls compete with pride and passion for their school all day, whether it was in the pool or cheering from the grandstand. It was a very long day, but each Ascham girl gave 100% and their behaviour in the grandstand was excellent.
Head Swimming Coach Michael Garrett-Meade said, ‘The moment for me that captures the true spirit of Ascham, is when the goggles broke of a swimmer from one of the boys’ school just as he was about to dive in for his race. I could see that he did not know what to do and had started to panic, so I asked the girls if they could lend him a pair of their goggles. Siena was more than happy to do this so that he could swim in his race—this emulates the Ascham School values of respect and kindness.’
Tennis
On Monday the Tildesley Tennis team was announced and presented with their dresses for the upcoming tournament. Special guests Ken Richardson (long-time Ascham coach and one-time coach of Ash Barty) and Zara Lowe (Ascham Old Girl 2019) were present. Zara spoke about her time as a Tildesley representative, how resilience played a role in shaping her tennis at School, and the importance of teamwork. Best of luck to the girls competing in this year’s tournament, which begins on Sunday 13 March at Pennant Hills. Let’s hope all the rain has well and truly passed by then!
