Sport

Fostering Courage and Confidence

The words of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat "Courage and Confidence" carry on through the Sports Program with a Sacred Heart approach to success!

At KRB, the Sports Program provides opportunities for beginners to elite athletes across all year groups in both the Junior and Senior Schools. There are a number of students in various year groups representing the School, region, state and country across a range of different sports. Two of KRB’s Sports Coordinators, Jac Cameron and Tom Blyth, both highly experienced coaches, have a passion for seeing our students reach their full potential. They both play an active role not only within our School but within the IGSA community. Jac is the Convener of IGSA Basketball and Tom is the Head Coach of the IGSA Hockey team. KRB has had representatives in both of those sports this year. Alongside these staff members are a number of very experienced and talented coaches who have contributed to the success of many students in their chosen sports.

This year, KRB had a record number of IGSA and IPSHA representatives across the following sports:

IGSA Water Polo - Matilda Waugh IGSA Swimming - Ruby Tonelli-Smith, Annabelle Waugh, Amelia Hudson

IPSHA Swimming - Giovanni Fontana Gribodo IGSA Netball - Allegra McDonald IGSA Basketball - Indigo Bell IGSA Hockey - Clementine Gerber IGSA Touch Football - Alexandra Smeallie and Sophie St John IGSA Cross Country - Poppy O’Brien and Leni Patane IPSHA Cross Country - Lillian Wenmohs and Vera Febo IGSA Athletics - Adelaide Haddrill and Sarah Luey IPSHA Athletics - Emily Maxwell National Snowsports – Indii Evans, Tiffany Gorman, Jessica Gorman, Charlotte Gorman, Tom Flitcroft, Amelie Zuza Tito and Sasha Barrass. These students are to be congratulated on their individual achievements and contribution to the School’s sports program.

Many KRB Teams are also achieving success, with many of our Senior 1st teams competing in the highest divisions in Sydney schoolgirl sport. KRB 1 Football and Netball were both victorious across the Winter terms, winning their respective IGSA divisions. The Basketball and Hockey Senior 1sts had a great deal of success in their own right, but having narrowly missed out on a Grand Final game, they will use this experience to learn and continue to improve.

It is important to celebrate these successes alongside the success achieved each week from improving in skill level or playing more cooperatively as a team. With success there is failure, and failure builds resilience and usually a longer lasting result. There is much research on the importance of teenagers being involved in sport, as they experience failure, loss or disappointment. This allows the opportunity for students to develop the skills to manage these same feelings in real life scenarios. It is therefore important for parents and staff to remind students that loss and disappointment are part of the journey and the journey will continue beyond the school gates.

Kincoppal-Rose Bay is one of the only girls’ schools where participation in sport is compulsory for all students in Years 7 to 12. It is highly encouraged for all Junior School students, as it helps them in their Senior School years with skills and confidence. Research has proven that teenagers who are involved in sport on a regular basis;

• Have a more confident approach to managing situations as they have experienced a loss of a game, not achieved their personal best or not made an anticipated team. These experiences build resilience and provide a useful foundation for future careers and leadership;

• Are generally happier, more trusting of other students and have higher levels of resilience, which leads to better mental health;

• Are more likely to feel strong, confident and to celebrate the capabilities of their bodies;

• Have a positive attitude towards learning and school work;

• Have improved academic achievement.

As we have recently returned from a period of modified sporting activities due to Covid-19, the importance of community and being connected has been highly valued by all members of the community. Thank you to the 58 Parent Sports Team Managers for ensuring all parents have felt connected and updated during the Winter Sports Season. Your contribution to the School community is greatly appreciated and certainly supports our Sacred Heart goal of Building of Community as a Christian Value.

Mary-Kate Churcher Head of Sport ELC-12