With strict COVID plans in place the first event was the Nissan State titles for 16 Under and 18U over three days, held in Brisbane.
Successful Somerset players to represent our top regional side, the Bond University Bullsharks 16U team were, Atlanta Horan, Ellie Muir, Bailey d’Hotman de Villiers and Jemma Clements with Charli Pearse and Trinity Toia, named as training partners. The team had huge success winning the State title with some outstanding performances from our girls. Huge congratulations go to Bailey d’Hotman de Villiers being named in the 2021 Queensland 17U squad.
The 18U Bullsharks team also won the State title with former students Rylee Burns and Kasey Collins being instrumental in their team's state title win. Congratulations to Rylee for her selection in the 2021 Queensland 19U squad and Australian 19U squad.
Fifteen Spartan netballers headed to the Sunshine Coast for the biggest State Netball carnival of the year, with over 2000 participants in attendance. Players represented their regional association over the four days with Netball Queensland doing an outstanding job of managing players and spectators with stringent COVID restrictions.
The Hinterland 13 Years team comprised of five Somerset players from the team of 10, going on to win the Queensland State Age title. Celebrating their gold medal win are Year 7 students Marley and Rio Burns, Daisy Webber, Ciena Bailey and Year 8 student Kinari Patel. Well done girls!
The VWC was held during the long weekend in Brisbane with 70 school teams competing from all over Queensland. Due to COVID, disappointed parents had to stay home as no spectators were allowed. Our Open A team has been training hard and looking forward to this event all year after the cancellation of QISSN in June, due to COVID.
With our youngest team ever to represent the College at this event, and comprising of five Year 9s, two Year 10s and three Year 11s, the focus was on embracing the learning experience for our youngsters, improving each game and striving to make the top 10 in the State.
Following a strong first game performance on Saturday against Siena Catholic College, the girls were happy with their 23 to 16 win. Unfortunately a winning streak was not to be when we matched up for the second game against John Paul College, going down 26 to 21 in a tight, hard-fought match. Bouncing back, in the third match saw an easy win against Moranbah State High School. The team displayed solid improvement in preparation for the evening game versus St Margaret Mary’s Collegé. Another consistent team effort from our young side who took the win, 33 to 13.
Sunday’s first game win was against APS opposition Coomera Anglican College 37 to 14 and a second win versus Downlands College 34 to 14, finishing the day in the top 16.
Monday was finals day and the knockout rounds. With just one win away from the top eight, and facing a strong Canterbury College side, the team were well prepared and determined to meet the goals set. A strong defensive team effort upset the opposition, in the end to win convincingly 33 to 19, to take a spot in the top eight and play off for the top four against our familiar rivals Matthew Flinders.
With only a 30 minute turnaround between games, both teams were feeling fatigued as the match went goal for goal for most of the game. It wasn’t until the late three minutes in the final quarter that determined the winner with Flinders taking a three goal lead when Charli Pearse, our young dynamic GA went down with an injury forcing her off the court. In a courageous effort by the defence, gaining valuable intercepts in the last minute, it wasn’t meant to be with Flinders taking the game 29 to 26 and Somerset finishing in an impressive sixth place overall.
Congratulations to Captain Amais Toia, Charli Pearse, Atlanta Horan, Jemma Clements, Georgia Wilson, Bayley d’Hotman de Villiers, Ellie Muir, Marika Ransfield, Trinity Toia and Lucy Millar.
Under 7 Greens were chasing a win against the undefeated Palm Beach Silver on home ground. The boys had a fantastic game with strong defensive attacks and some brilliant goals!
Working together as a strong team saw the side deliver the result they were chasing and they came home with an amazing five goals against Palm Beach's two goals. It was a fantastic win for the boys against an unbeaten team, this season. Jakub, Blake, and Knox all getting on the scoreboard with a great effort from Blake who took out Player of the Match.
Somerset Under 7 White won their home game against Palm Beach Yellow. The boys played very well and had a solid attack and defence during the game, despite the rivals being much taller and stronger. Louis managed a hat trick, Oliver scored two goals and Sion scored one. Ruben played very hard in defence but unfortunately was injured during the game. Franklin did a good job in passing. The boys were very concentrated in this game, takin the final score to 6 nil.
Somerset Under 7 White enjoyed another victory against Mudgeeraba Green on Saturday. The away team proceeded with their strategy to shoot as soon as they had possession of the ball, which put the home team under immense pressure during the first 10 minutes of the game.
The boys remained focused and defended well, gradually taking control of the pace of the match. Oliver played an outstanding game and scored four goals. Franklin and Harrison scored one goal each. Their teamwork during the game was exceptional, helping their result of 6 to 2.
Somerset Green Under 8s had another great game against a tough defending and much improved Magic United Pink. It was an exciting game with lots of shots at goal from both sides. Ollie scored the first goal, then a proud Max scored with his left foot before Izaak scored the third and final goal. William did an excellent job as Goalkeeper. There was some great passing from Thomas, Vaughan and Sehaj.
Sehaj was named Player of the Match. The Team was cheered on by the injured Edward who is still on the mend. Thanks to coach Ryan and Maarten.
What a game! A tense first half was filled with many attempts at goal by Somerset and great saves by our goalie Will but left Nerang up by two goals. The second half proved to be a different story. Under 8 Green began with some powerful shots at goal and Sehaj was so close to scoring. After the first goal was scored, there was no stopping them thanks to our goal scorers Max, Ollie, and Edward.
Izaak, Vaughan and Thomas were strong in defence. The team practised great passing and worked so well together. Well done Green team. Congratulations to Max for Player of the Match. Somerset was the proud winner with a final score of 7 to 3. Thanks Coach Ryan and Maarten and Mark for umpiring.
Kick off! It was not long before Izaak started the goals rolling with goals one, two and three. Mudgeeraba scored their first goal but soon after Thomas scored goal four for Somerset.
There was some great defence from Mudgeeraba but defence by Somerset from Edward and Max was strong. The Somerset Blue team players cheered from the sidelines and boosted the Green team’s determination. Somerset listened well to Coach Maarten’s advice making great passes throughout. Ollie scored goals five, six and seven. Mudgeeraba scored their second goal but shortly after, Vaughan scored goals eight, nine and 10.
A final score of 10 to 2 had the Green team super excited with their win! Thanks to Benedict and Zhander for filling in, and to Mark for umpiring.
These Under 8s managed a hard fought win which at half time seemed unlikely. Being 1 nil down before Harper scored in the first half.
The second half improved as Henry curled one in from the corner and Connor took revenge from a tough tackle to give a buffer to Somerset with a 3 to 1 lead. Paxton too the score to 4 to 2 with some perseverance up front before the mighty Coomera pulled one back.
The stage was set for a nail-biting finish before Paxton squeezed in a left foot low drive to secure the points with a 5 to 2 win.
Player of the Match was Henry holding the midfield.
Magic United Red hosted Somerset Blue in an exciting comeback victory for the undefeated Under 8 side, who prevailed 5 to 4 at full time. Somerset started slugish with several Magic counter-attacking plays in the opening to put the Magic ahead in the first minutes of the game. Some confusion in the Somerset defence, led to a further blow out with Magic taking the lead 3 nil.
Stunned and shell shocked, the team looked to rally with multiple shots on goal without success. However, an outstanding strike from Henry, with a backheel air swing from Harper who claimed a dubious glance opened the scoring for Somerset to make it 3 to 1 to Magic. Buoyed by this, Somerset started to assert authority and Henry continued his long-range strikes and curls. Another strike from Henry connected and it was 3 to 2, Magic's way, heading into the break.
The second half was a dominant Somerset display, with multiple probing attacking plays. A goal from Harper levelled the match three all. Magic began to rely on desperation defensive tactics, and multiple fouls were called including one that had Harper carried off temporarily. As time ticked down, Zhander fired the next goal to give Somerset the lead. Connor then added to the account with his trusty left foot and the match appeared won. A goal from Magic narrowed the lead but Somerset defended to win 5 to 4 at full time.
Under 8 vs Magic After much anticipation, the showdown with Magic finally happened. Magic coming in hot after a week of tournaments and with Somerset carrying some late season injuries, the match was looking tough for the team.
The game started well and was even, our boys were definitely holding their own until a counterattack saw Magic slip in their first goal. Minutes later another one slipped through but we still looked strong and had a real chance. Danny went down in defence and was taken from the field, from this Magic grabbed the opportunity and knocked in their third goal.
Things started to look a little shaky until Alex grabbed an opportunity to bring scores 3 to 1 going into the break. Connor was carried from the field in the second alf and along with Danny, was unable to return leaving no reserves. Magic knocked in two more goals. We countered with Ben pushing one past the posts resulting in a very respectable 6 to 2. With multiple injuries, Pax on holidays the boys did a good job and should be fired up for the final game of the season against Palm Beach this weekend. Big thanks to Oliver for filling in and holding his own on the field.
Have a question about Football at Somerset College? Please contact our Head Coach - Football and Futsal Maarten de Kruijf: mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au
Alex and Darcy Halloran competed at the National Youth Championships for Touch Football for the South Queensland Sharks.
Teams from all regions and all states were expected to compete initially but unfortunately due to COVID and border restrictions, only Queensland regions competed.
Alex captained her team and the 14 girls came third overall, bowing out in the semis to Central Queensland.
Darcy’s team won all of their round games and then won their semi against Central Queensland and the Grand Final against Brisbane.
Ethan Grocott’s club Volleyball team (GC Storm – U15) won bronze at the State Championships in the holidays.
During a three day event Ethan competed, enjoying every minute.
Well done Ethan!
Felix (17yrs), our Somerset Athletics Captain, won the Open Men's Triple Jump with (14.00m) and backed this up with a second place in the Open Men's Long Jump (6.70m). Both outstanding jumps for a 16 year old.
Britney (14yrs) won the Open Women's Long Jump with a leap of (5.97m) followed by another win the Open Women's 200m (24.66sec) and finally a third place in the hotly contested Open Women's 100m (11.82sec) which was also a World Junior Qualifying time for the 2021 World Junior Championships in Kenya. Fantastic effort!
Both athletes are aiming for selection at next year's World Junior Championships and this competition has provided them with a fantastic stepping stone into the upcoming Queensland All Schools Championships - October 17 and 18 (Boys); October 24 and 25 (Girls), when we have a much larger contingent of Spartan athletes competing in what will be the toughest competition of the school year. Watch this space!
Congratulations to Felix and Britney and best of luck to all Spartan Athletes competing in the upcoming State Schools Athletics Championships.
Now what is OzHarvest?
OzHarvest was founded in 2004 by Ronni Khan AO. Ronni realised the huge quantity of food being wasted and decided to make a difference. From that one dream, OzHarvest collects 180 tonnes of food each week from food donors nationally, supporting many families in a vulnerable state.
But how did OzHarvest come to Somerset College?
My brother Aidan Chan and his friend joined OzHarvest when he was in the grade I’m in today, Year 6. They sold two truckloads of gingerbread at the (then known as) Gold Coast Arts Centre, at the special premiere of Lady in the Van.
So if two Year 6s can help feed families by just supporting and volunteering, what stops you from joining us and Going Yellow on 16 October?
I was able to raise the highest amount of money in the country for WABIAD, therefore winning the national prize, but I am most proud of the fact that I raised over $4,500. I was able to have people sponsor me by posting it on various social media platforms and raising awareness for the Kids Cancer Project.
My parents are both doctors, so I was already passionate about helping the sick. In the end, the whole of Australia raised $530,000 towards the Kids Cancer Project.
I am so grateful I was able to benefit kids' cancer, and I can’t wait to find more ways to help the children with this illness.
From, Kids say the darndest things, Art Linklater’s House Party
Art Linklater: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” (to a five year old boy)
Boy: “A bus driver or a pilot”.
Linklater: “Well, suppose you’re a pilot on a big aeroplane and suddenly all four engines stop, what would you say”.
Boy: (Long pause, deep breath, head bows) “ … Our Father which art in heaven”
The simplicity of children! He wasn’t scripted, being cute, or a smart alec; in his world experience the only sensible thing to do in that crisis was pray.
Watching these little ones together, play with strangers, and playing with me, brought to mind the words of Jesus “He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.””
I’m not quite sure exactly what Jesus meant when he said that, but I am clear about what my children’s children taught me.
Don’t take things too literally – a granddad is just a granddad, but if he jumps out from behind a corner he is the funniest and scariest monster you have ever seen and you should run away squealing and laughing. Just play the game, don’t overthink it.
Enjoy things for as long as you can. It doesn’t matter if the pool is too cold, dive and swim and splash till the shivering means you can’t anymore. Why let the fear of being too cold stop the fun? There’s always a way to stop the shivering, that’s what baths are for!
Sometimes people are irritating, and that’s OK. You just need to do something on your own for a bit and then the play can start all over again.
Sharing isn’t having the same thing, it’s having the same fun with all the things together.
A friend is someone who will play with you, that’s it. What they look like, how they think, where they come from, or how long they will stick around, who cares?
And most importantly:
When things are scary, or you are hurt, the fastest cure is to snuggle yourself in to the people you love as hard as you can and let the cuddle do its work.
For children this all comes naturally. Unfortunately, the journey through adulthood layers dark and distorting filters over our “child eyes”. They quash our spontaneity and blind us to wonder. I’ve decided to try and pare mine back, maybe you can too.
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