We have loved seeing St Catherine’s students embracing the Sport program again, as the new school year has commenced.

Always our biggest Sport from a participation point of view, over 120 students have hit the tennis courts over the past week. Led by the fantastic coaching team from the Victorian Tennis Academy, our girls are keen to channel Ash Barty when their matches start next week.

Our GSV Swimming and Diving teams have also commenced their campaigns, with a large group of swimmers giving up their final two days of holidays to get an early start on their training. We are once again very lucky to have former Australian Olympic coach, Mr Ian Pope working with our swimmers.

Likewise, our Softball teams have enjoyed their pre-season training sessions, while our first Run Group session saw over 40 students turn the streets of Toorak light blue as they jogged through the neighbourhood.

Our Rowing program has continued along a similar trajectory of its exceptional 2020/21 season, with great results over the weekend. The Division One and two Senior VIIIs both took first place by a significant margin in their respective A Finals, at the Wendouree Ballarat Regatta. Likewise, there were a number of strong performances from our Intermediate and Junior crews at the Morongo Regatta. It was a particularly great experience for our Year 9 rowers who competed in their first ever regatta.

Ms Kim Mulhall, Head of Athletics and Sports Development Academy

Excitingly, we have two new staff members joining the Sports Department. Ms Kim Mulhall, Head of Athletics and Ms Liz Mathews, Head Coach of Distance Running, will be working with our Athletics teams throughout the year.

Kim is a talented thrower who represented Australia at two world juniors, two Commonwealth Games and a World University Games. She is a Level 3 Athletics Coach and has worked in numerous schools coaching Athletics and Strength and Conditioning.

Ms Liza Matthews, Head Coach of Distance Running

Liz is an Athletics Australia Accredited Coach, who works out of Williamstown and St. Kevin’s Athletics Clubs. She has coached athletes of all ages and abilities, and taken individuals to state and national junior championship medals and state, national and world master’s medals.

Kim Mulhall will also lead the newly formed Sports Development Academy. Commencing as a pilot group of nine students throughout Term 1, this program will offer aspiring athletes with access to sport specific training programs and athlete support education sessions, that will assist them to excel in their sporting endeavours.

Best of luck to all St Catherine’s athletes as they embark on a new year of sport.

Go St Cath’s!