CHAIRPERSONS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 It gives me great pleasure to present this annual report on behalf of the executive, diocesan and association representatives and individual sport conveners. The scope of this report reflects another amazing year of sporting achievement for our catholic school students and staff in secondary schools across NSW. It provides a reflection of the incredible talent we have in our schools and the pathways that are available in a wide variety of sports. It is always rewarding to see students from our catholic secondary schools listed as members of NSW All School and Australian teams. Pope Francis recently met members of the Italy and Argentina football squads at the Vatican, ahead of an exhibition match organised in honour of his Pontificate. He reminded the players that they are role models for many football fans and encouraged them to take that responsibility seriously. He then asked them to foster the “beauty, generosity, and camaraderie” that sport can produce. He called on players to “live your sport as a gift from God, an opportunity not only to improve your talents, but also a responsibility”. He returned to the idea that athletes should act as role models, encouraging them to set an example of loyalty, respect, and selflessness. Pope Francis concluded by praying that the athletes will continue to be able to pursue the “noble vocation” of sport – and he asked them to pray for him, too, “that in the playing field that the Lord has placed me, I can play the game honestly and courageously, for the good of all.” At its best, sport is educational, exciting, uniting, stimulating, uplifting and beautiful. Sport glorifies God by lifting our spirits and creating genuine communities. The report that follows is a most detailed account of the many sporting events for the year. It highlights the representative pathways and illustrates the complex yet incredible organisation that takes place to allow all these opportunities to come to fruition. There is no doubt that our success as an association is a result of the tremendous support at a local level from our participating schools, Principals and teachers. I offer my sincerest thanks and congratulations to the individual sports coordinators at each and every school in our system. They are at the ‘coal face’ where these sporting opportunities are communicated and work tirelessly; often well outside their normal teaching duties. To the NSWCCC sports conveners, thank you for work in promoting and organising your sport. The expertise, motivation and passion you have in coordinating your sport and ensuring access into the All Schools arena is invaluable and you are all vital to the success of NSWCCC. To the Diocesan and Association representatives – a job well done! Your role in administering and organising your schools is ongoing throughout the year and again vital to allow our pathways to function so effectively. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the NSWCCC Executive – Linda Densmore, Wendy Breen, Rick Joyce and Chris Anschau for the great work they have done throughout the year. This working committee has met regularly to improve our practices and discuss a wide variety of council issues, all in the aim of making NSWCCC a more professional and effective association. A special mention to our good friend Helen Notley who has assisted our group again this year. The introduction of the CSSS website has been a major step forward for our organisation this year. It has provided a real presence for NSWCCC and pushed us into the digital world with a professional interface. Thanks again to our dedicated executive officer in Kym Skerritt who has overseen the website introduction along with her continued support of council members, Principals, schools, students and families. Along with this, Kym provides a vital link to both the Catholic School Sports Services and to the NSW All Schools sporting structures. Congratulations on a great year and thank you Kym on behalf of all involved in catholic school sport. The diverse roles mentioned so far are all vital components to the successful operation of NSWCCC. We all must continue to be aware that we are one part of a team, that the association caters for students from all over NSW in over 20 sports and remain open minded to the reality of existing resources that are available to us. Finally, my thanks to the members of the Catholic School Sports Services. Our NSWCCC sporting body now sits directly under the Diocesan Directors who serve as the board members and allows our association to have a voice at this level. Thanks in particular to Ray Collins, Director of Matiland/Newcastle Diocese who chairs the CSSS Committee, your support and guidance of our NSWCCC council and your communication to the Directors and Association of Catholic School Principals is very much appreciated. As we look ahead to secure our future, it remains imperative that our council members and enthusiastic teachers continue to receive support from their respective Principals and Diocesan Offices. To those who are leaving our NSWCCCSA thankyou for your contributions, good luck to you and best wishes for the future! Please take time to read this NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Annual Report for 2013, I am sure you will be impressed with the quality of our students and the structures we have in place. John Sparks Chairperson 1 EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT 2013 On 19th March 2013 the Catholic Schools Sports Services Constitution was endorsed as the new entity to manage Catholic school representative sport in NSW. It has been a wonderful initiative that has bought all NSWCCC and NSWCPS programs under the one umbrella. At the first Board meeting it endorsed the rental of office space at Gladesville for NSWCCC and NSWCPS. Thank you to the Conference of Diocesan Directors in particular Ray Collins, Director of Diocese of Maitland/Newcastle for their on going support of the programs offered to Catholic school students and teachers. I would like to thank the current memebers and past members of Catholic Schools Coordinating Committee for their contribution to ensure the opportunity for teachers and students to access the NSW representative sport pathways. Special thanks go to Gary McSweeney who has chaired this committee for the last ten years. The website has now entrenched itself in the lives of us all. We are currently developing stage 2 of the site which will give greater access to the Diocesan/ Association representatives so that their activites are being managed through the website. Principals have embraced the opportunity to remove paper and are active members on the site. Parents and students have welcomed the access to current information and greater access to the representative programs. Improved communication on all levels has been the greatest asset of the website. Please keep providing feedback to us so we can develop the site for your use. The NSWCCC events began with the Blue Award Presentation. Every year I am impressed by the talent and graciousness of the recipients. This year was no different but I was also aware of the comradiere and respect shown by each of the recipients’ amoungst themselves. The highlight of the presentation was the guest speaker Jacqueline Freney – Australian Paralympian of the Year 2012. Jacqui was a stdent of Xavier Catholic College Ballina and a Blue Award recipient 2007. Thank you Jacqui for sharing your story. My role as Executive Officer is made pleasurable and simpler because of those whom I work with. I offer my thanks to the following: Ann-Marie Miranda, Executive Officer – Primary who keeps alive the link between CCC and CPS and provides me with great support. Kathie Lowe who plays a vital role in the administration. Her patience and diligence is outstanding.She is the face behind the website. Bev Vimpany has been an employee since 1998. Bev will retire this year. We thank her for expertise and support over the many years. Helen Notley who is always there to assist with the not so glamerous operational tasks. The NSWCCC Executive for their support and guidance. Your leadership and vision is inspirational. The NSWCCC Conveners work specifically with their sport ensuring rules of play and selections provide a level playing field and ensure all students are given equal opportunity. In particular, I would like to thank conveners who have retired Luke Wilson (Rugby) and Stuart Hanrahan (Basketball). Their leadership and expertise have ensured opportunities for many students. I would also like to thank their schools for providing the support for them to carry out their duties. Diocesan/Association Sports Representatives will often work with conveners by supporting activities that are held in their local area. Often it is the local community’s hospitality that provides the most memorable moments. Special mention must go to the rural areas that have a wonderful way to ensure all have a good time. I also acknowledge your efforts to ensure your students are given the opportunity to attend NSWCCC selections when at times cost and isolation are great barriers. Thank you to the school principals who support and value the representative sports program. Your support and encouragement of staff and students to attend events of the representative pathway is acknowledged and appreciated. Sports Co-ordinators – No organisation is successful unless it has people working at the grass roots level. Your tireless efforts to be the first port of call to the student and parents are necessary and appreciated. Thank you to the parents who provide oppurtunities to their children to use their god given talents. To over 800 students who have accessed the represented sport pathway - School. Diocesan/Association, NSWCCC, All Schools or School Sport Australia level, thank you for sharing your talents in a gracious way.