Bright future for school sport superstars

SIX of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta’s top young sports people were recognised for their achievements by the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Sports Association recently.

Three students from St Andrews College, Marayong, softball umpire Thomas Green, diver and diving judge, Amy France and fellow diver Jemma France were given Blue awards.

Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown swimmer Timothy Hodge also received the prestigious Blue award.

Marian Catholic College, Kenthurst basketball player Sherrie Calleia and Caroline Chisholm College, Glenmore Park softball player Shaylan Whatman received the Bar award.

Thomas Green received his award as he been involved in umpiring at NSWCCC and NSW All Schools Softball selections for the past two years. He has also been invited to officiate at the interstate level.

In May 2016, at the School Sport Australia Championships in Melbourne, and again last December at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide, Thomas controlled preliminary games and finals with composure and control, often dealing with players much older then himself.

His mentors speak of his achievements highly and noted they see him as having a big future in this important aspect of the game.

Fellow St Andrew’s College student, diver and diving Judge Amy France was recognised as a dedicated athlete and talented official who has represented NSWCCC and NSW All Schools at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide.

During the NSWCCC Championships, Amy placed second in the 17 years Springboard competition and also officiated.

At the NSW All Schools Championships, she placed fourth on Platform and was also an official judge.

Amy is described as highly skilled and a tough competitor who always displays a positive attitude.

Her sister Jemma France is described as a very hardworking and persistent athlete who has improved each year through the school pathways competitions and has been rewarded with her second NSW Team Selection to the Pacific School Games for diving.

During the NSWCCC Championships, Jemma placed first in the 16 years Springboard and continued her success at the NSW All Schools Championships, where she placed third in the 16 years Springboard.

She was selected to compete for the NSW Team at the Pacific School Games in the springboard, platform and synchronised diving events. Jemma gained a fifth place finish in both the one metre and three metre springboard events. Fellow Blue award recipient Patrician Brothers’ College swimmer Timothy Hodge is an outstanding swimmer who has performed incredibly at all levels of his sport.

He has won multiple events at NSWCCC, NSW All Schools and at the recent School Sport Australia Championships and is highly respected by his peers, teachers and swimming management.

At the NSWCCC Swimming Championships, Timothy swam in five events, winning five gold medals and was named Multi Class Swimmer of the Meet. During the NSW All Schools Championships, Timothy won the 50m and 100m freestyle, the 50m and 100m backstroke and was second in the 50m butterfly and breaststroke events. This outstanding performance saw him selected in the NSW Team.

At the Pacific School Games, Timothy again set two Games and a School Sport Australia record when he won ten gold medals and two silver medals in a dominant display of versatility in the Multi Class events.

He was rewarded with the Multi Class Male Swimmer of the Meet, replicating the feat he proudly achieved at the 2015 Pacific School Games.

Timothy is a talented athlete who has also represented his country at the Rio Paralympics and aspires to be selected for the Commonwealth Games to be held this year in April on the Gold Coast.

Marian Catholic College basketball player Sherrie Calleia received the Bar award for being selected in both the New South Wales CCC and NSW All Schools basketball teams in 2016 and 2017.

She is described as an outstanding athlete and was named captain of the NSW team because of her leadership qualities both on and off the court. Her offensive and defensive skills, as well as her intelligent and determined play, make her an asset to any team. National selectors were impressed with Sherrie’s play and she was chosen in the Australian team last year. She has also been elected as House Patron at her school for her active involvement in a wide range of activities.

Caroline Chisholm College softball player Shaylan Whatman received her Bar award because she has been a member of the NSWCCC softball team for the past three years and on every occasion, she has been chosen to represent NSW All Schools.

Defensively she is described as a very strong fielder for third base and is consistent with her skill set even when relieving as catcher. Offensively, she shows real prowess with the bat, repeatedly finishing high on the list of batting statistics in any tournament in which she takes part. At the Pacific School Games in Adelaide last December, Shaylan earned high praise from the entire coaching staff and deep respect from her teammates. Her solid performances saw her named by selectors in the Australian Schools Softball Team.

A big congratulations goes out to these six outstanding young sports achievers for 2018.