SPORT
3 .
2 .
1 . HUGO BROMELL RUNNING THE BALL FOR OUR FIRSTS TOUCH FOOTBALL TEAM VS XAVIER COLLEGE 2 . ROBERT BARBER AND FREDDIE LEETON BATTLING IT OUT IN THE 1500 METRES AT ATHLETICS TRAINING 3 . HUGO SCHIFFER GETTING READY TO LAUNCH ON A SINGLE SCULL 4 . SAM KNIGHTS PRACTISING HIS BREASTSTOKE SKILLS AT SWIMMING TRAINING
1 . 4 .
SCHOOL SPORTS NORMALITY
Hopes for a bigger and better sports year in 2021
While spring sport took on a very similar scenario to our lost winter season , our Term 4 program has given strong indications that a semblance of normality is on the horizon . In the meantime , unfortunately time ran out for both the athletics and water polo seasons . Both sports were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic without a single APS fixture or lead-up meet taking place .
I have been privileged to work with the boys in both sports as we have endeavoured to maintain their focus and motivation throughout a season which would inevitably deliver very little . Zoom conference meetings , special guest speakers , STRAVA fitness groups , run challenges , online conditioning sessions and skill programs all played their role , and despite the early call to cancel the respective APS seasons , our boys remained committed to the end . The cancellation of Term 4 official summer fixtures did not come as a surprise .
On reflection , clearly some boys have actually flourished during isolation , and in sports such as athletics , specifically middle-distance running , many boys have improved and developed their aerobic fitness . The data from our STRAVA athletics group revealed a core group of boys throughout the School who have probably never been more active . It is a credit to the boys themselves for keeping positive and engaged during this period , and I have been inspired by their approach .
I also recognise many boys have struggled for motivation and have been inactive . I am sympathetic to the unique challenges these boys have faced , and I understand that it has been hard for them . Our challenge has been to try and re-engage these boys and encourage them to get back into daily routines . Each boy has a story , and all have been impacted differently . Exercise and sport play an invaluable role in bringing normality back to these boys .
On return to Term 4 , we worked with Independent Schools Victoria and the Education Department to provide sporting and physical activity opportunities for the boys at school . The objective of these programs was to provide important physical and mental wellbeing activities , and included swimming , general conditioning , rowing and athletics . With COVID-19 protocols in place , our boys jumped at the opportunity to take on these activities , with strong
50 Great Scot Issue 161 – December 2020