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 Rebecca Lutz (Paranthoiene ’97), Swimming Vice Captain and her daughter Coco Lutz, Year 7.

Mrs Rebecca Lutz (Paranthoiene ’97), Swimming Vice Captain

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

Coco and I both enjoyed swimming for St Catherine’s in the Junior and Senior Schools. 

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

Coco and I enjoy ocean swimming together and we recently did a training session where she beat me hands down, there were plenty of laughs at the end of that session.  

It was very special to hear that Coco was appointed the Swimming Captain in Year 6 for the Junior school as that was a role I also had many years ago.  

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

The warm-up and training schedule includes much more than it used to. There is land training before every session which includes lots of skipping and core strengthening exercises. They also do a lot more interval training both on land and in the water which increases their fitness. 

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

By playing the same sport it allows me to help support and motivate Coco. She is able to chat to me about her race plan and race day preparation. We also discuss the setbacks that occur and how to deal with disappointment. 

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

I have incredible memories of knowing every St Catherine’s girl in the Swim Team from those who were several years above to those that were several years below. People sometimes think Swimming is an individual sport however the team is always behind you. Those relays bring back the most joyful memories. Coco has been fortunate enough to have won a gold medal in the State Championships Relay with three other St Catherine’s girls and that bond will last a lifetime! 

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

There was not a sport I didn’t enjoy at St Catherine’s. I threw myself into as many as I could possibly fit into my schedule. It makes me very proud to see Coco doing the same and making the most of the sporting opportunities at St Catherine’s. 

Coco Lutz, Year 7 

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

I feel as though through her experiences in sport at St Catherine’s, she can offer me good advice on sporting opportunities. 

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

I always look forward to strategising pre-race and then analysing race results after I have competed with Mum.  

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

It has been great to meet many other St Catherines girls in different Year levels through the sports Program and I love racing against my friends from other schools. 

What have you learnt/discovered about yourself from playing sport?  

I am quite strong minded and enjoy the challenge of playing sport. 

What are some of your best sporting memories so far from St Cath’s?  

My best sporting memory at St Cath’s so far is winning the State Swimming Relay in Year 5 with Arabella Foote, Clara Calvert, and Louisa Liao. A close second was coming fifth in the Triathlon earlier this year with Carla and Charlotte.