2021 Sports wrap

High levels of both participation and performance characterised the St Margaret’s sports program across both the primary and secondary schools in 2021.

The secondary school program continued to build partnerships with sporting clubs and professionals, whereby highly skilled coaches, professionals and officials provide their services to design and develop programs that deliver sequential technical and tactical programs to strengthen performance. Below, are just some of the highlights from some of the 19 sports offered at the school. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, not all sports were able to play out their seasons to a final result; however, all athletes adopted a positive mindset and made the most of the games they could play. The swimming program kicked off the year, with the team placing third in the QGSSSA Swimming Championships. A nail-bitingly close competition saw St Margaret’s finish just 1.5 points behind second place. Still in the pool, the water polo program experienced its most successful year to date, with six of the eleven teams securing semi-finals berths, four of those making it through to the grand finals and the 16Bs taking out the championship. Lockdown postponed the artistic gymnastics competition from March to June, but it was certainly worth the wait with the teams winning four out of eight premierships, including the prestigious Open grade competition. Like the water polo program, artistic gymnastics enjoyed its most successful season in the school’s history. Touch football attracts a huge contingent of players each year with 235 students participating in the 2021 season. Nine out of the sixteen teams placed third or better, with three teams securing premierships in their respective divisions. Likewise, rowing attracts large numbers, with 164 rowers taking to the water for a stellar season, one of the most successful in St Margaret’s rowing history. At the pinnacle event – the BRSA Head of the River – 82% of crews had podium finishes with 90% finishing in the top four placings. The Year 8s, 9s and Seniors won their age group pennants, the Year 10s came a close second, and the senior division Third and First VIIIs won their races. At the end of the day, St Margaret’s had not only secured the Head of the River trophy, but also brought home the aggregate cup 181 points ahead of its closest competitor, showing the depth of the shed and overall strength of the program. The netball program, which includes Club Netball with the Downey Park Netball Association and the QGSSSA competition, also enjoyed great success in 2021. Cub Netball fielded a record 23 teams. This represented 230 players, who played in 350 competition games and attended over 400 training sessions. Five teams earned themselves the opportunity to play in the grand final with four teams coming away with premierships. The QGSSSA competition had a COVID-disrupted season, and despite no final results, several teams came through the season undefeated.

After COVID cancelled the 2020 lifesaving competition, the team was able to contest the 2021 Royal Lifesaving Secondary Schools State Championships and the St Margaret’s team once again was victorious, becoming female champion school for the 23rd time.

Fifty-two girls competed in the skilled and graceful rhythmic gymnastics competition, with podium finishes for the Year 8.3 hoop team (third), the Year 7.1 ball and Year 8.2 and 8.1 hoop teams (second) and the Year 7.3 teams placing first. The Opens performed very well to place fourth.