Haileybury has celebrated a remarkable 2025, with both boys Football and Basketball teams and Girls Athletics winning APS premierships. 

Haileybury’s First Boys Basketball Team achieved the extraordinary milestone of winning five consecutive APS premierships. “This is an unprecedented achievement in APS basketball history,” says First Team Basketball Manager Duncan Berg.   

Under the guidance of coach Rhys Carter, the team finished undefeated, maintaining a winning streak that extends from August 2023. “Over the past five years, the team has compiled an APS record of 48 wins and just two losses, both by narrow three-point margins,” says Duncan. 

The journey was not without challenges. The 15-player squad, with students from Years 9–12, started the season with the challenge of replacing eight graduating Year 12s.  

A key moment was when the Haileybury team won by a narrow margin against a fast-finishing St Kevin’s College. “It served as a crucial reminder that we needed to play our best basketball every week to stay ahead of other talented and well-coached APS teams,” says Duncan. 

“We faced many other capable and skilled teams each week, but through holding ourselves to our own high standards and relying on one another on different weeks, we were able to stay together and undefeated across the APS season,” says Nick, Year 12, Captain of the Firsts Basketball. 

A focus on fostering talent and team building has helped build their success. “We identify young talent early and integrate those players into the program immediately,” explains Duncan. “I’d like to acknowledge our coach, Rhys Carter, who has led the team since January 2020. Rhys has continued to evolve as a coach, bringing fresh ideas and adjustments each year that have kept us ahead of the competition,” he says. 

The Football program, led by Head of Football Senior School (Boys) Peter Shakallis and Coach Matthew Lloyd, enjoyed a standout season, reclaiming the premiership after a narrow miss in 2024.  

The team’s success was the result of long-term hard work, with the squad of 40 players training twice a week since last November. 

The players faced intense challenges, with close-fought matches and injuries, but throughout the season they supported each other and were able to stick to their game plan, even under pressure. Highlights included a thrilling one-point win over Xavier, a premiership replay victory against Brighton Grammar on Anzac Day, and a comeback win against Melbourne Grammar, overturning a five-goal deficit to secure the title. 

“A clear and effective game plan, developed under the leadership of Matthew Lloyd and a trusted coaching team, has earned the belief and buy-in of the players, driving performance and unity,” says Peter. 

Team Captains, Louis and Jack, thanked all those involved. “We couldn’t be prouder of the effort, growth and camaraderie that defined this season.”  

A highly successful athletics season culminated in October with the Haileybury Girls Athletics team winning the APS trophy. On the day they secured victory in one of the closest contests in years, with just six points separating the top three schools. 

“On APS finals day, it was the team-based performances highlighted by personal bests and consistency in performing that helped to win us the day,” says Chair and Head of Athletics, Mark Reed.  

Over the season the girls also won medals in the Athletics Victoria Schools Relay Championships and Schools Challenge. It was a season distinguished by outstanding teamwork and genuine mutual support. Out of the squad of 120 girls from Years 7–12, many younger athletes stepped up to compete in older age groups with multiple students also achieving personal bests. 

“This triumph represents more than just athletic success, it symbolises the strength of Haileybury’s Athletics team culture, one that has been built over the past years with the commitment of its coaches, and the unity of a program built on a shared ambition,” said team captain, Angelia, Year 12. 

Haileybury athletes train year round, with up to ten athletics sessions each week across all campuses, primarily based at Keysborough 

“It was the best team performance I have seen in 36 years coaching at APS.  It was an experienced and caring group of coaches that brough out the best in our athletes,” commented Mark.