2024 Sports Awards
The Merici College Sports Awards Presentation Evening on Monday, 11 November, showcased the increasing enthusiasm and participation in sports at Merici College – an exciting development that greatly enhances the well-being and success of our school community.
Several positive outcomes and trends are emerging and include the increasing participation in co-curricular sports and gala days which reflect a heightened interest and engagement among students. This growth not only promotes physical activity but also strengthens community bonds and teamwork. The diverse range of sports enriches Merici’s athletic culture, highlighting the wide variety of talents within our student body. Expanding sports programs positively impacts the overall school culture by fostering a healthy lifestyle, encouraging teamwork, and providing students with opportunities to build leadership skills, resilience, and a strong work ethic.
Success in sports often strengthens school spirit, as students’ achievements create a shared sense of pride and identity within the Merici community, fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere. A growing sports culture also enhances Merici College’s visibility, drawing interest from both inside and outside the school. Athletic success stories contribute to a positive public image, showcasing the school’s commitment to excellence. Sports involvement goes beyond competition, promoting physical health and overall well-being. As athletics continue to thrive at Merici, it’s essential to celebrate these achievements, support diverse talents, and nurture a culture of inclusivity. This positive momentum reflects the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our school community.
At the presentation, we recognised the achievements of Merici College students in various sporting endeavours, including Basketball, Snow Sports, Netball, Volleyball, Oztag, Touch Football, Water Polo, Sailing, Swimming and Athletics as well as their many other achievements outside of school.
We were honoured to welcome Taryn Dickens as a guest speaker at Merici College. Taryn, a remarkable athlete with low vision, competes as a para biathlete and cross-country skier. She was co-captain of the Australian team at the 2023 Invictus Games, an international event for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or become ill in service. Taryn is now working towards becoming Australia’s first vision-impaired athlete to compete in the Winter Paralympics. Thank you, Taryn, for sharing your inspiring story and the challenges you’ve overcome, which have shaped you into the incredible person you are today.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sport convenors, managers, coaches and parents. Thank you for the effort that you have put into creating valuable opportunities for our students to participate in the Merici College Sporting programs. The contributions of our volunteers and their dedication throughout the year ensures that every season runs smoothly, and without their support, Merici Sport would not exist.
Congratulations and thank you to all our players for your community spirit, passion, energy, and the sportsmanship you have displayed. We applaud you all for your commitment and courage whether you played a new sport for the first time or played a sport that you love. Merici encourages all our students to have a go by getting out onto the field, court, lake, pool or track, to be active, involved and have fun playing sport.
