The Merici College Sports Awards Presentation Evening on Monday 10 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.
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 Monique Suraci as a guest speaker at Merici College.
Monique started boxing when she was six years old and entered her first boxing competition at the age of 10. Over the last 12 years of boxing, she’s competed around Australia and across the globe. In 2018, after winning the Australian Youth National Boxing Championships, she was selected to represent Australia at the 2018 Youth Oceania Championships and came home with gold.
Her Oceania win was followed by the 2018 Youth Women’s & Men’s World Championships in Budapest, where she competed against the best young amateur boxers in the world.
After the disappointment of not making Tokyo Olympics, she threw herself back into training and fought regularly against tough opponents. In 2023, she won 13 of 16 fights she contested, most of them against international opponents, putting her on the radar of the world’s top fighters in her weight category.
Her dream had been fulfilled when Monique was selected to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics. “I have a dream and that dream is to be Australia’s first female boxer to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games”. Unfortunately Monique was beaten by Colombian Ingrit Lorena Valencia in their round of 16 women’s 50kg bout.
Thank you, Monique, 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.
Principal’s Address:
I am quite a Ted Lasso addict having binged all three series and am so looking forward to Series No.4. His key message is to “Believe”. Sounds corny, probably is a bit corny BUT it is also true. The growing enthusiasm and participation in sports at Merici College show how many members of our community believe in the value of sport. I think they are key learning arenas for our young women, both in terms of physical expertise and prowess as well as character development. The sporting life of our young women at Merici College certainly contributes significantly to the overall well-being and success of our school community.
Several positive outcomes and trends are emerging:
- The rising numbers across co-curricular sports and gala days indicate a heightened interest and engagement in sport among students. This growth not only promotes physical activity but also fosters a sense of community and teamwork.
- The diversity of sports enriches the sports culture at Merici, showcasing the broad spectrum of athletic abilities among our student body.
- The growth of the sports program is having a positive impact on the overall school culture. It promotes a healthy lifestyle, encourages teamwork, and provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, resilience, and a strong work ethic. It also offers the opportunity for parents and friends to contribute in so many ways to the lives of the young people they love. We could not do what we do without the volunteers that we have!
Thank you all.
- Success in sports has translated into increased school spirit. As students excel in various sports, a sense of pride, joy and identity within the school community is fostered creating a positive atmosphere.
- the growing sports culture at our school enhances the visibility of Merici College, attracting attention not only from within the school community but also from external audiences. Success stories in sports are contributing to a positive public image for the school.
- Engaging in sports is not only about competition but also about promoting physical health and well-being. In fact, as Ted Lasso says to his team
“If you care about someone, and you got a little love in your heart, there ain’t nothing you can’t get through together.”
Our sportswomen know this to be a lived reality.
As sports continue to grow at Merici College, it’s important to celebrate these achievements, encourage a culture of inclusivity, and provide support for the diverse interests and talents emerging within our student community. The positive momentum in sports is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic nature of our Merici community.
Congratulations to all who have participated in sports this year and to those who will receive awards tonight.
Anna Masters, Principal
