On Monday 18 August, fourteen Year 7 and 8 students represented our College at the SACCSS Junior Badminton tournament in Werribee. All teams competed in a pairs format with two of our teams reaching the semi-final stage. Each team competed with great skill and real enthusiasm. The students are to be commended for the way they represented themselves and the College.

Two students share their accounts of the day:

Representing the school in sports competitions is always a fun opportunity, especially when we miss a day of school. Badminton was one of them, having fun with our partners and creating new memories. The bus ride itself was a great experience, talking and having random discussions with friends, but upon arrival the nerves started to settle in for all of us. There were 6 games that lasted 12 minutes each. Each pair had to score the most points they could in the timeframe. Our first match had started with complete uncertainty and being scared. Although our first match was a loss, the main point was for me and Myeisha (my partner) to keep being positive. The next matches were wins, turning our whole mood in another direction, winning a promising 5/6 matches that led us to the semifinals. Although we played to our best efforts, we fell back to being nervous, losing the semis by a close margin—around 4 to 6 points. It was upsetting to lose the semis, but the fact we made it in was what we were grateful for. Making it that far was an overall achievement for us while at the same time we represented our school. We didn’t get gold, but we had fun.
~ Rhaiyne

I was really hyped going to the badminton tournament today, smiling and talking excitedly on the bus with my doubles partner, Rhaiyne. We had six games scheduled, each lasting 12 minutes, and the pair with the most points won. Our first match didn’t go so well—we were nervous, kept missing shots, and the other team had a strong, experienced player. We lost badly, around 35 –17 but Rhaiyne encouraged me to stay positive. After that, things turned around.
We won our next five games and made it to the semifinals. Even though we played well together, the nerves came back, and we lost a very close match. At first, I was upset, but then I realized how far we’d come. It was my first tournament, I haven’t been playing long, and Rhaiyne doesn’t even play regularly—yet we made the semifinals! Overall, it was an exciting experience.
I achieved many goals today, such as making new friends from other schools, showcasing my skills, and becoming closer with my peers. The tournament will always be a key memory for me, and even though I didn’t go home with a medal, I still came home with plenty of great memories.
~Myeisha