In a world teeming with sporting choices, choosing one to make your mark in can be quite the challenge. For Haileybury students alone there are nearly 40 different sports available across their Middle and Senior school years to select from. Despite this, it’s inspiring to see the dedication Haileybury students put towards their sporting efforts year after year, and it’s a privilege to celebrate their accomplishments. Below we are proud to share just three of their stories.
Putting to perfection
The sport of golf offers a fantastic balance between individual performance and team solidarity. Whilst the patience and concentration that the green requires may not be for everyone, at Haileybury, the 2024 golf season stood out as a significant one. Led by captain Lenny (Year 11), the team have been working hard to brush up on their skills.
“We were so lucky this year to be able to train at the prestigious Kingston Heath Golf Club, where we would spend our Tuesday afternoons learning, practicing and refining our games, constantly asking Kingston Heath Professional, Tom Evans questions,” Lenny shared.
On 29 April, a four-member team, consisting of Rehan (Year 9), Adam (Year 10), Kyle (Year 9), and Lenny, competed in the AGSV / APS / BAS annual Inter-Association Golf Championship. Despite facing adverse weather conditions marked by wind and rain, the team delivered an admirable performance.
Team scores:
Rehan 76, 5 over par
Adam 80, 9 over par
Kyle 79, 8 over par
Lenny 70, 1 under par
The team’s effort stood out in a field of 72 players, with only eight rounds under 80 strokes, three of which were achieved by Haileybury. Haileybury emerged victorious with a score of 225, outshining Brighton Grammar (230), Ballarat Grammar (239), and Scotch College (242).
Previously, Haileybury clinched the team championship in 2017 and 2021.
Tapping into touch
On a slightly smaller green, Haileybury has also been making its mark in touch football. For those who are more familiar with AFL and rugby, which involve physical tackles and contests to gain possession of the ball on a larger field, touch football is a non-contact sport played on a small field, where players simply touch their opponents to end possession.
In 2011 only 10 Haileybury girls in Years 7 and 8 were playing touch football. Now, in 2024, 120 students in Years 9–12 play touch football each week, and seven Haileybury girls have been selected to represent the State at the upcoming National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour; three in the Under 14s and four in the Under 16s.
Jamie McCracken (Head of Girls Touch) speaks very highly of the team: “I love working with the squad because they always support each other, play as a team and have fun.” Jamie was introduced to the sport many years ago as a rugby player. “We played it as a way of improving our ball handling skills. I love the sport because it is the ultimate team sport; everyone attacks and everyone defends, so no one is left standing alone waiting for the game to come to them.”
Despite fielding a young team this year, with only four Year 12 players — of whom one was new to the First team — the girls displayed remarkable willpower throughout the season. Finishing fourth in their division, their improvement was incredible to see.
On the day of the finals, Haileybury found themselves with a smaller team than usual. “It put many of the younger players in the spotlight and they truly rose to the occasion, reaching the semi-finals,” Jamie shared.
Alessia (Year 9), one of these standout players, was welcomed to the First team when she was only in Year 8. She has remarkable passing and spatial awareness skills and has since been selected for the Victorian Under 16s Rugby 7s team.
Dancing in the spotlight
Moving off the field and on to the stage, Haileybury Dance is another sport boasting a vibrant community of approximately 110 students from Years 7 to 12, with an additional 80 Years 5 and 6 students, and hundreds of Prep to Year 4s engaging in the program as an extracurricular activity.
Training sessions occur twice weekly for Years 7 and 8 and Senior School Dance Teams, utilising facilities at Keysborough and a nearby dance studio.
Participating in the TFT Dance Star Competition from April to August annually, Haileybury Dance competes at Regional, State and National levels.
It is with great pride that we can say all Senior School teams and three out of four Years 7 and 8 Teams medalled at Nationals in 2023, securing five championships and numerous soloists earning medals or titles.
Beyond the competitions, Sam Drury (Head of Dance) has nothing but praise for her students. “Haileybury dancers are probably some of the most hardworking students at school. They are always present at training; I never have to follow up absences. I never doubt their commitment and passion. It is my privilege to work with such an incredible group of young ladies. They impress me every week at training and my goodness, on stage, they are a force!”