In, boots and all

NICOLE ROACHE, MARKETING MANAGER For more than 30 years the affable ‘Cheats’ has been guiding many an aspiring sports man or woman to better versions of themselves and cajoling those less keen with his big smile and gentle manner at The Geelong College. When he hangs up the boots as Director of Sport this year, he will be sorely missed.

An Old Collegian, Mark Cheatley (OGC 1983) returned to College as a teacher at the Middle School in 1988, as the Head of Boys Sport, teaching PE, Health and English, and yes, it is hard to believe he was teaching in 1988, but he assures me it’s true!

On top of teaching and coordinating sporting competitions he found time to coach APS Cricket, Soccer and Athletics, and to supervise both the Year 7 Camp in the Grampians and Year 8 Camp in the Otways each year. From 1996 to 1999 he took a short sabbatical from College to take on the role of Director of Sport at Christian College Geelong where he founded GISSA (Geelong Independent Schools’ Sports Association) to encourage competition between local schools. Today this association provides a strong standard of competition across Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Netball, Surf Lifesaving, Surfing and a host of other sports for more than 12 schools in Geelong. Returning to College at the turn of the Century as the Director of Sport and APS Delegate, continuing to teach PE, Health and English, tutoring in Mackie Boarding House, leading Fulfilling Lives trips to Central Australia and Fiji, and a Kokoda Expedition in 2012, Cheats has impacted generations of College students.

Now you may think that a busy man like this would have no time for his own leisure activities, but Cheats has modelled an active lifestyle over the years playing soccer, cricket and football at school and now a keen swimmer and surfer, he completed the Rottnest Island Swim – 20kms in shark infested waters in 2020 and is regularly seen churning his way around the buoys at Cosy Corner in Torquay. His daughters Grace (OGC 2012), Louisa (OGC 2014) and Claudia (OGC 2016) followed Mark and his sister Jenny through College and are all keen swimmers – rumour has it there is a fiery family competition on Pier to Pub Day in Lorne. When asked about some of his memories he smiles as he recalls APS Saturdays with students on every available surface playing a range of sports with their peers working towards a common goal. He also recalls APS Carnival Days – the Heads of the River, Athletics Finals and Swimming and Diving Nights, and House Carnivals at our Recreation Centre or on Main Oval where the House spirit is really on show. “I really like seeing students jump into a team to support their peers and get it done for their House. If you asked them

to tackle a new sport in another setting, they may not be keen to do it but there is something special about House Sport that can push them out of their comfort zones. You never know if that might be the moment that that student falls in love with that sport.” “I’m also incredibly grateful that every day for all those years I worked as a team with colleagues who have become lifelong friends. It’s been a joy, and when I think about it now, something I will really miss. It’s also nice to think that we modelled the teamwork and social cohesion we talk about developing through College sport. You don’t set out to do that, but in hindsight, I can see that’s what we were able to do.”

Participation and involvement in the process, not the outcome have been Cheats’ mantra across his years at the sporting helm, and it has seen the College program recognised by all schools in the APS for our tenacity at all levels of competition. “They always say we punch above our weight, which is all you can ask for from a bunch of kids competing in some of the most elite company in the state. That’s not to say the wins don’t make you proud, of course they do, winning the 1st team premierships in rowing, cricket, tennis, girls athletics and football have been highlights, but so is seeing a student develop a lifelong passion for healthy levels of sport and exercise.” Over his time at the College, Cheats has seen the sports program evolve, moving from generally teacher-coached teams to the employment of many highly qualified external coaches helping to impart sport-specific knowledge. He has also seen the APS competition evolve to a semiprofessional level in some schools. “We really want our students to give training their all and compete as hard as they can, as a team. There are so many social and emotional benefits to this type of activity, and they are learning every time they walk over that white line, to be a good sport, to be resilient, how to be an effective member of a team and to have fun together. Wins are a bonus. Participation in sport builds self-confidence, teaches skills and coordination. Now, more than ever post-COVID, students need this type of physical and social outlet.” As we look over the building site, that in just over a year will be our wonderful new gym and wellbeing facility, Cheats holds great hopes for the future of the program he has been so integral in building. “No doubt the greatest part of our sports program is the variety of opportunities students can engage with at all levels of the school. The team culture, even in the ‘individual’ sports like athletics and swimming, is important in that students learn to pull together and do it for the team. I can’t wait to see what they are able to do in traditional programs and fixtures, as well as in new opportunities in the coming years. I also see room for even more qualified coaches and mentors to help to bring out the best in every student and to set examples for a healthy and balanced life that always includes some kind of sport.” “Let’s hope for lots of learning and a few wins along the way.” Thanks Cheats and we’re glad we will still see you around here some of the time, and best wishes for the golf handicap.

Paul Carson, Incoming Director of Sport

Paul joins the College as Director of Sport with a wealth of knowledge of local sport and community organisations. Former Head Coach of the St Joseph’s Football Club and Account Manager for Programmed Skilled Workforce, Paul is an outstanding leader and builder of teams, and through his extensive experience in high performance coaching and mentoring Paul will continue to build the College sporting program, striving for excellence and inclusion. He is looking forward to creating a sporting environment that attracts people of great character and creates wonderful opportunities for students, coaches and teaching staff alike.