A handful of St Catherine’s graduates have come together to share their memories of being young sports competitors and the joy they now find in watching their daughters compete for their School too. Over the coming weeks we share stories from these Old Girls and their daughters. This week we feature Mrs Lucy Cashmore (Olsen ’97) and her daughters Poppy (Year 9) and Ruby (Year 7).

Mrs Lucy Cashmore (Olsen ’97)

What sports did both you and your daughters play at St Catherine’s School? 

Just like the girls, I embraced as many opportunities as I could when I was at St Catherine’s. I spent more time in the Art Room than on the sports oval in my senior years, however, I like to think I gave everything a go and enjoyed being active so I participated in interschool sports as much as I could. Tennis, Netball, Swimming, Athletics and Rowing have all been sports that I have enjoyed participating in and watching my kids enjoy.

How has playing the same sport helped strengthen your bond as a mother and daughter? 

As a mum, it is my turn to cheer from the sidelines and riverbanks and encourage Poppy and Ruby as much as I can. As parents, we only ever want our kids to try their hardest and be proud of their achievements.

To cheer Poppy on at her first rowing regatta brought back lots of memories of my own time in the boat and my parents doing the same for me all those year ago. I have been really impressed by her dedication and commitment from the first day of the Learn to Row Program, and her enthusiasm and hard work throughout not just the Rowing season, but in everything that she does. It’s been a busy first year at St Catherine’s for Ruby too, and she has achieved great success and really enjoyed playing in the GSV Soccer and Hockey Teams. She too is learning the importance of commitment and accountability and enjoyed making friends with some of the girls in the Year above too.

Have you noticed any differences in the way you and your daughter approach the sport and how the sport is now played? 

The competitive nature of interschool/GSV sport hasn’t changed much I don’t think, and there will always be friendly rivalry between schools, which is what makes it so fun. The intensity of Rowing has definitely increased though, but I do not think you ever forget the pain of an ergo test or the nerves you feel at the start line. Having been both a cox and a rower in the past, it has definitely helped me support and motivate Poppy since her Rowing journey began. Sport teaches the girls so much including the importance of teamwork, showing up, communication, and organisation. It also challenges both their bodies and mental strength.

I’ve always been one to encourage the fun aspect of team sport, and winning is a bonus. These days, the girls get to try out all sorts of new sports too, with Ruby choosing to play Soccer and Hockey – neither of which I did!

Has playing the same sport as your daughter allowed you to support and motivate her during both the triumphs and setbacks in the sport? 

For Poppy, I have felt every emotion this past Rowing season, and I’m sure embarrassed her with my screaming on the sidelines along the way (although she quietly loves it, I am sure!)

As we all know, in sport you can be the best all season, and then lose the grand final and Poppy’s crew experienced this at 2023 HOSG (Head of Schoolgirls Regatta). It was shattering for all of us to witness the girls’ narrow defeat. However, they held their heads so high, and learned a very important lesson that day – that sport is, at its heart, about having fun, and that tomorrow is a new day.

I love attending Ruby’s weekly Netball games, and she too has learnt that a win and a loss doesn’t define who you are or how the team performed all season. It is just as important to learn how to lose graciously as it is to win. 

What do you believe are the benefits of playing sport at school? 

Personally, I believe the major benefit of kids playing sport is that it teaches them resilience, a skill they need more and more in this ever changing world that they are growing up in.

Can you share some insights or fond memories of your time playing sport at St Catherine’s?

Of all the sports that I competed in, rRwing was a sport that taught me another level of commitment. The team spirit and camaraderie that came with racing in regattas and HOSG will always be one of my fondest memories, and one which I can now share with Poppy. I competed (and won!) in the HOSG in Year 9 and planned to continue the following year, however, I sustained a back injury while training, so had to retire from pulling an oar but I switched to the cox seat and competed the following year and came third in the Year 10 Division 2 Quad Scull Final. 

It wasn’t just the playing of sport that I fondly remember though, it was the dressing up in House colours for sports days, the chanting against rival Houses and seeing who could scream the loudest and the pride of representing our School that was the most memorable.

Poppy Cashmore Year 9 and Ruby Cashmore Year 7

How has having your Mum also being a St Catherine’s athlete helped you in your chosen sports?

Poppy: Having mum also be an athlete at St Catherine’s has given me a chance to participate in something she used to enjoy, and I love that we share that common bond. She always encourages me to try everything, which is what she did I think

Ruby: Mum tells me she participated in as many activities as she could when she was at School, from Athletics to Diving, Swimming, Netball, and Rowing. She even got her scuba diving license in Year 10, which I would love to do too!

What do you enjoy about sharing these sports experiences with your Mum?

Poppy: I enjoy the fact that we can both share the highs and the lows, as she has been in the same position as me before.  

Ruby: I love having Mum cheering me on from the sidelines. It is nice to know she is there encouraging me, but even when she is not, she is always my biggest supporter.

What do you enjoy about participating in sports at St Catherine’s?

Poppy: The best thing about participating in sport at St Catherine’s is the environment and the community that is developed through sharing the experience with your team mates. New friendships are also formed during training sessions and we have a lot of fun along the way.

Ruby:  I have really enjoyed playing team sports with GSV and I have been able to play Tennis, Hockey and Soccer which are three of my favourite sports – as well as Netball!