Sport

Sport2023-01-13T14:43:37+10:00
Sport is central to the Marist College Ashgrove curriculum not just because boys enjoy them, but because they embody many qualities in which the College believes.

Learning to win and lose, to lead and be led, to push oneself to and perhaps beyond one’s limits, to think as part of a team, to know when to strive for more and when to acknowledge defeat; these are all part of learning to be human. Consequently, Marist College Ashgrove aims to give every boy the chance to benefit from learning through sport by playing and being taught the sport of his choice at the level appropriate to his abilities and interest.

Marist College Ashgrove offers a variety of sports and sporting competitions throughout the year. All students participate in a summer sport and a winter sport of their choice and benefit from working with the College’s experienced coaches as well as a comprehensive strength and conditioning program.


The College offers the following sports:

SUMMER
  • Athletics
  • Cricket
  • Cross Country
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo
  • Strength and Conditioning*
WINTER
  • Football (soccer)
  • Rugby (union)
  • Rugby (league)
  • Basketball
  • Tennis
  • Strength and Conditioning*

*Strength and conditioning is done in conjunction with each student’s chosen winter and summer sport.

AFL

AFL was introduced to Marist College Ashgrove in 2019 as a two-year trial. The sports has become extremely popular and is now offered as a full school program offered in Term One.

What are the Benefits?

AFL is a sport that requires a high level of skill and fitness. Students involved will have the opportunity to develop their physical components in a competitive environment.

Who can Participate?

All students from Years 5 to 12 can participate in AFL, with teams offered in the following year levels;

  • Year 5 – two (2) teams
  • Year 6 – two (2) teams
  • Year 7 – one (1) team
  • Years 8 & 9 – one (1) team
  • Years 10 to 12 – one (1) team
When is it Held?

The AFL competition is played each year from February to April against other AIC Schools. All teams will train twice (2) per week with competition games being played at the following times;

  • Friday Evening: Years 8 & 9 and Years 10 to 12
  • Saturday Morning: Years 5 to 7
Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College in AFL are required to wear College rugby shorts and College rugby/football socks. A team jersey will be supplied by the College for students to wear throughout the season.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated coaches comprised of teaching staff and Old Boys who facilitate the process of development under the guidance of the Head of Sport. For more information about our AFL program, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Basketball

Basketball was introduced to Marist College Ashgrove as an alternative winter sport and has since experienced a rapid growth in numbers of players, now being one of the largest participation sports in wintertime.

What are the Benefits?

Basketball is a game of skill, speed, endurance and teamwork. These physical benefits aligned with the mental benefits of motivation, concentration and self-discipline makes basketball a great game for personal and social development. Played in the Marist spirit of humility and hard work, basketball offers its participants opportunity to grow as individuals in a team setting.

Who can Participate?

Basketball is available to all students from Years 7 to 12.

When is it Held?

Teams train once (1) or twice (2) a week depending on their division throughout the season from July to September (Term 3). Years 7 to 12 teams play on Saturday mornings.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College in basketball are required to wear blue shorts, College socks and appropriate shoes. For some teams a basketball singlet is supplied for the season.

Who are our Coaches?

Marist College Ashgrove’s basketball program engages highly experienced and professional senior coaches with strong links to Basketball QLD, Basketball Australia and College recruiters in the USA and elsewhere. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Chess

For those boys who believe that a battle of the brain is more appealing that a battle of the brawn, chess is the Autumn term sporting alternative.

What are the Benefits?

Often regarded as the contest for the intellectually gifted, chess is the best sport to exercise the most important organ in one’s body: the brain. Not only will chess improve one’s memory, focus, self-discipline, problem solving and reasoning, it will also enable players to interact with other like-minded strategists.

Who can Participate?

This competition involves seven (7) teams: Two (2) from the Primary school and five (5) from the Senior school.

When is it Held?

Marist College Ashgrove competes in the AIC chess competition on Friday afternoons during Term 2. The chess teams train once (1) a week during Terms 1 and 2.

Uniform Requirements

Boys who represent the College at chess wear their school uniform.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated external and internal coaches facilitate the teaching and development of the teams. For more information, please contact our Chess coordinator at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Cricket

Cricket is played by more than 500 students each Saturday during Term One with teams participating in the AIC competition. Cricketers at Marist College Ashgrove have upheld a fine tradition in an activity that truly benefits the students and culture of the College. It also gives students the opportunity to represent the district and state through the Queensland School Sport Association.

What are the Benefits?

The cricket program is customised to address the individual needs of boys with varying skills and abilities with a central theme for all teams of developing experience, team work and responsibility. Participating in the co-curricular program enhances the students’ relationships in a safe and structured environment.

Who can Participate?

All students from Years 7 to 12. There is a team suited to the ability of each boy and every student is encouraged to participate.

When is it Held?

Cricket goes for the entirety of Term One. Training consists of one (1) or two (2) sessions during the week depending on divisions and the competition runs for seven (7) games, plus trials.

Uniform Requirements

Each player is required to wear long whites and an appropriate hat. Due to the time of the year in which cricket is played, the College strongly encourages all players to take appropriate care to protect themselves from the elements. Each team is supplied with a kit that contains helmets, bats, boxes and gloves.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated coaches comprised of teaching staff and Old Boys facilitate the process of development under the guidance of the Head of Sports. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Cross Country

Whilst cross country running has long been embraced by the College – utilising many of the hectares of the College, it was not until 1999 that the first official premiership was sanctioned by the AIC. With the strength established previously, Marist College Ashgrove has been a force amongst competing schools each year, winning a significant share of events and premierships.

What are the Benefits?

The College environment lends itself to the development of skill and endurance in the discipline of cross country running. A commitment to the necessary, regular and sometimes challenging training fosters team building and personal development through increased confidence and composure.

Who can Participate?

Cross country is available to all students from Years 7 to 12.

When is it Held?

This winter sport is contested by AIC runners with boys competing each week in age based divisions in Term 2 and 3. Training for the different carnivals begins in Term 2 on a weekly basis and requires a significant commitment from its participants.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College in cross country are required to wear the College’s cross country singlet, College cross country shorts and College athletics socks.

Who are our Coaches?

The coaching staff in cross country are highly experienced and cater for the individual at all levels. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Football

Football at Marist College Ashgrove has established itself as a popular sport in the Autumn season. The College has committed significant resources into developing a marvellous football precinct comprising of six pitches to cater for all boys across a wide variety of ability levels.

What are the Benefits?

Teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline under pressure are developed throughout the football season. These personal skills are seen as important traits of any human being and have educational benefits for the boys both on and off the pitch.

Who can Participate?

Football is available to all students from Years 7 to 12.

When is it Held?

The football competition is played each year in Term 2 against other AIC schools. All teams train twice (2) per week with competition games being played on Saturdays in a home and away format.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College at football are required to wear the College sports shorts, College bumble bee football jersey, a mouthguard, shin pads and appropriate footwear.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated coaches comprised of teaching staff and Old Boys facilitate the process of development under the guidance of the Head of Sports. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Rugby League

Rugby League was introduced to Marist College Ashgrove in 2019 as a two-year trial. The sports has become extremely popular and is now offered as a full school program offered in Term Three.

What are the Benefits?

Rugby League at Ashgrove will follow on from the Rugby season and provide another option for boys to participate in Term 3 Sport. The culture of Ashgrove’s Rugby League program will strive to uphold the core values evident in the sporting program.

Who can Participate?

Rugby League is available for all Students in Years 5 to 12 with only one (1) team available per year level.

When is it Held?

The Rugby League competition is played each year in Term Three against the other AIC Schools. All teams will train twice (2) per week with competition games being played on Saturdays.

Each round of competition will be held at a central venue that is hosted each week by a different AIC school.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College in Rugby League are required to wear College rugby shorts, College rugby socks, a mouthguard and appropriate footwear. The College will supply a Rugby League jersey for students to wear throughout the season.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated coaches comprise of teaching staff and Old Boys who facilitate the process of development under the guidance of the Head of Sport. For more information about our rugby league program, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Rugby Union

Marist College Ashgrove has a proud history in rugby union. As a founding member of the AIC, Marist College Ashgrove has many Old Boys who have had esteemed careers as professional players. The popularity of rugby within the College sees the largest number of boys representing the College in any sport, with over forty teams competing each weekend during the Autumn season.

What are the Benefits?

Rugby at Ashgrove is not just about the elite players. The culture of Ashgrove’s rugby is one that encourages all boys, no matter their playing ability, to compete with fierce determination and commitment, whilst still honouring the traditions of fair play and sportsmanship.

Who can Participate?

Rugby union is available to all students from Years 7 to 12.

When is it Held?

The rugby union competition is played each year in Term 2 against the other AIC schools. All teams train twice per week with competition games being played on Saturdays in a home and away format.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College in rugby union are required to wear the College sports shorts, College bumble bee rugby jersey, a mouthguard and appropriate footwear.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated coaches comprised of teaching staff and Old Boys facilitate the process of development under the guidance of the Head of Sports. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Swimming

The swimming program is one of the biggest sporting programs offered at Marist College Ashgrove. Swimming is offered to all students at Marist College Ashgrove and is an integral part of the AIC competition. Training runs throughout most of the year in the College’s Olympic size heated pool and requires a strong commitment from its participants.

What are the Benefits?

The swimming program addresses the needs of boys by developing their confidence, health, fitness, motivation and being a member of a team. Participating in the swimming co-curricular program enhances the students’ relationships and engagement with the school.

Who can Participate?

Swimming is offered to all students at Marist College Ashgrove from Years 7 to 12. There is a team suited to the ability of each boy and every student is encouraged to participate.

Selection criteria for AIC teams centres around: commitment to the team i.e. attitude, behaviour, and attendance at training and lead-up carnivals; performance; and other factors as observed by the coaching staff.

When is it Held?

The AIC swimming season runs from November to March. Training is a vital part of preparation for the AIC Championship, and students seeking to represent Marist College Ashgrove are expected to train at least four to five (4 – 5) times per week.

Training sessions are offered for the AIC season from Monday – Friday (6:00am – 7:30am and 3:30pm – 6:00pm). Compulsory age group sessions are held in the afternoons during Term 1.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College at swimming are asked to wear school swimmers and swim cap supplied by the school.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated coaches comprised of teaching staff and the Head Coach, Mr James Boyce oversees the preparation of all boys for AIC / BSA / QSA meets. For any information, please contact our Head Coach: James Boyce at boycej@marash.qld.edu.au

Tennis

Tennis at Marist College Ashgrove is a very popular sport with students utilising the outstanding tennis facilities at the College. With six hard courts, students are able to play tennis all year round.

What are the Benefits?

Tennis is played both in the single and double format in the AIC competition. This is unique in that players are part of a team however also represent the College as individuals. Aside from the fantastic physical benefits of tennis, participants also have the added advantage of developing their motivation, self-discipline and team work.

Who can Participate?

Tennis is available for all students in Year 7 to Year 12. There is an A and a B team for each year group, and each team consists of four (4) players.

When is it Held?

The tennis competition is held each year in Term 3. Training is two (2) days per week. Younger grades are usually before school, while older teams are usually after school. Training is for an hour each session.

Uniform Requirements

All students wear a tennis uniform, which consists of a white and blue College shirt, blue tennis shorts, and a tennis cap.

Who are our Coaches?

A dedicated tennis coach facilitates the development of our tennis players. For more information about our tennis program, please contact our Tennis Coordinator at MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au

Track and Field

The College has a very strong and proud tradition in AIC track and field with an ongoing dominance in this area. The first class facilities available to students within the College ensure that our students are well prepared and at peak fitness for the range of competitions that they may enter. The athletics staff aim to give all students at the College the opportunity to develop their skills and abilities.

What are the Benefits?

Regardless of the standard of the athlete, our program embraces any student wishing to compete in athletics with the aim of enjoyment, friendship and character development being at the forefront of our coaching philosophy.

Who can Participate?

Athletics is available to all students from Years 7 to 12.

When is it Held?

The College competes in the AIC competition, with the major carnival being the AIC Championships held annually at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in October. Training for each discipline is held twice (2) weekly in the mornings and afternoons, commencing in Term 3.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College in track and field are required to wear blue shorts, College athletic socks, the College athletics shirt/singlet and appropriate running shoes.

Who are our Coaches?

Coaching is of the highest standard in all disciplines. International standard and highly experienced mentors specialise in all fields of endeavour. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Volleyball

The volleyball program is one of the fastest growing sports programs offered at Marist College Ashgrove. With many teams across each of the age groups, volleyball offers a great alternative for students who are not interested in swimming or cricket. The College has a proud and successful history in the AIC volleyball competition and is seen as an important part of the AIC sporting competition.

What are the Benefits?

The school volleyball program offers a unique sporting opportunity to our students. Due to the nature of volleyball, every team member has the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success. Though competitive, humility is the focus of the volleyball program and while the boys are taught the necessary skills to play the game competitively, the development of respect, honour and friendship are also an important part of the Marist College Ashgrove volleyball program.

Who can Participate?

All students from Years 7 to 12. There is a team suited to the ability of each boy and every student is encouraged to participate.

When is it Held?

The volleyball competition is played each year from February to April against the other AIC schools. All teams train twice (2) per week with competition games being played on Saturday mornings.

Uniform Requirements

All students who represent the College at volleyball are required a wear a volleyball shirt which is available to purchase (via QKR and collection at sports office) and the blue PE shorts. Good court shoes are also recommended – and knee pads are suggested but not compulsory.

Who are our Coaches?

A team of dedicated coaches comprised of teaching staff and Old Boys facilitate the process of development under the guidance of the Head of Sports. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Water Polo

Water polo is the final AIC sport of the calendar year. It is an extremely enjoyable season that brings together five (5) AIC teams in a social competition. Enjoyed by all who play, the water polo competition exemplifies great sportsmanship, comraderie, fitness and enjoyment in one activity.

What are the Benefits?

Water polo is an exciting, fast paced game that requires great strength and aerobic capacity given the intensity of training and competition. Players need to be strong swimmers, be able to tread water for extended periods of time, as well as possess excellent ball handling skills.

Who can Participate?

All students from Years 7 to 12 are able to participate. Each team is capped at 14 players to allow for a reasonable amount of game time.

The competition is divided into three (3) divisions:

  • Years 7 & 8
  • Years 9 & 10
  • Years 11 & 12
When is it Held?

Marist College Ashgrove competes in the AIC water polo competition for four (4) weeks in Term 4. Training is held on Monday mornings and games are held on Wednesday afternoons.

Uniform Requirements

Students who participate in the water polo program are required to wear appropriate swimmers (swim briefs or swim shorts).

Who are our Coaches?

A team of external and internal coaches facilitate the teaching and development of the teams. For more information, please contact our Sports Department at sports@marash.qld.edu.au

Sports and Competitions

Marist College Ashgrove is a member of a number of sporting associations and therefore have commitments to field teams in a variety of different sports and competitions. The most regular competition is undertaken as part of our involvement in the Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) competition.

AIC Competing Schools
  • St Laurence’s College
  • Villanova College
  • St Edmund’s College
  • Padua College
  • Iona College
  • St Peter’s Lutheran College
  • St Patrick’s College

At the highest level of expertise, Marist College Ashgrove sportsmen consistently challenge against the strongest school opponents in this country.

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