College’s hockey future is bright
The future of St Augustine’s College hockey is looking bright despite the team falling two games short of defending its Melbourne Grammar School Invitational Hockey Tournament title.
Saints won the championship in their first trip to the Victorian schools tournament, and while they lost a bit a of experience they gained plenty of fans with their never-say-die approach and skill of the young side on their way to fifth.
State and national representative Ryan Cartwright was on fire throughout the tournament, claiming two player of the match awards, while Oliver Donnelly, Christian Laska and Kael Newcombe also impressed in the Glen Seiverscoached team.
Assistant coach Matthew Di Salvo, who is also the Head of Sport at St Augustine’s College, said it was an excellent result.
“They did really well – to finish fifth at this event, against schools from across the country, is exceptional,” he said.
“It was a great opportunity for our boys to play against some quality opposition from other states and to be invited to an elite tournament.
“Ryan is a high-level player and he showed that throughout, Christian and Oliver I thought played well too.
“Kael is a newcomer to hockey, and was great.
“He’s usually a wicketkeeper in cricket and goalkeeper in soccer, and he was really good for us.”
St Augustine’s College survived two penalty shootouts in their run to fifth, with Newcombe saving Saints’ way to those two crucial wins.
It’s a busy period for St Augustine’s College with teams training for the AFLQ Schools Cup, representative cricket and the Aaron Payne Cup.
This will be St Augustine’s College’s first season in the Payne Cup, the elite schoolboys rugby league competition which will feature eight schools and teams from the Far North to Mackay.
Saints, who will be coached by Kris O’Farrell, join Trinity Bay State School as first-time entrants in the Payne Cup, while Mareeba State High is preparing for their second season in the competition.
The Payne Cup is scheduled to kick off on May 30.